The Security Service of Ukraine conducts searches at the Vinnytsia Metropolitan of the UOC-MP Jonathan (Anatoly Yeletsky in the world). Investigative actions are carried out within the framework of the article of the Criminal Code of Ukraine on the equality of citizens depending on their race, nationality, religious beliefs, disability and other grounds.
This was reported by Ukrayinska Pravda with reference to the press service of the SBU. Jonathan is still involved in the case as a witness, the department specified. According to Ukrainian media, Ukrainian law enforcement agencies became interested in Jonathan after he published materials calling for interfaith strife.
At least three representatives of the UOC-MP went over to the side of the Russian invaders and took part in the proclamation of the annexation of part of the Ukrainian territories in St. George's Hall – Metropolitan Panteleimon (Povoroznyuk) of Luhansk and Alchevsk, rector of the Holy Savina Monastery in the city of Melitopol, Archimandrite John of the diocese of the UOC and rector of the Holy Dormition Cathedral in Kherson Archimandrite Alexy (Fedorov). Also, the Izyum Bishop of the UOC Elisey fled to Russia.
The UOC of the Moscow Patriarchate is part of the Russian Orthodox Church (ROC), has the official status of a "self-governing church with the rights of broad autonomy." In May 2022, the UOC-MP declared its independence (made changes to the charter) and expressed disagreement with the Patriarch of the Russian Orthodox Church Kirill, who supported the Russian invasion of Ukraine, but did not condemn it. The Orthodox Church of Ukraine believes that in this way the UOC-MP simply tried to hide the fact that it still remains under the jurisdiction of the Moscow Patriarchate.
