The Security Service of Ukraine has published information about the searches of the deputy head of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church’s Department for External Church Relations, Archpriest Mykola Danilevich. The priest is accused of “violating the rights of believers” and “justifying Russian aggression”. About it reports the telegram channel of the Department.

“The security service documented subversive activity on the part of the Deputy Chairman of the synodal Department of external Church relations of the UOC (MP). The cleric justified the Russian war against Ukraine and incited religious hatred. After the full-scale invasion of the Russian Federation, the archpriest publicly called for cooperation with the Rashists to jointly ‘pray for the health and well-being’ of the Russian occupants”, – the SSU said.

In addition, the Security Service reported that Archpriest Nicholas Danilevich as if he had created an extensive network abroad, with the help of which “tried to influence the consciousness of Ukrainians abroad”.

“According to operational data, the priest supervised an extensive network of dioceses of the UOC (MP) abroad. These institutions under the guise of alleged spiritual care over Ukrainian migrants spread propaganda narratives rf. In this way, the figure tried to influence the consciousness of Ukrainians abroad and discredit our country in the international arena. Initiated by the security service expert examinations confirmed the facts of his information-subversive activity against our state”, – noted in the SSU.

The agency believes that the priest violated part 2 of Article 161 (violation of equal rights of citizens on the basis of their race, nationality, regional affiliation, religious beliefs and other grounds) and part 2 of Article 436-2 (justification, recognition as lawful, denial of the armed aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine, glorification of its participants). If the court proves the guilt of the archpriest, he is threatened with imprisonment, for 5 years with confiscation of property.

“Now the question of choosing a measure of restraint for him is being decided. The investigation is continuing to establish all the circumstances of the crime. The attacker faces up to 5 years in prison with confiscation of property”, – summarized in the security service of Ukraine.

We will remind, on April 12, 2024 the Security Service of Ukraine initiated searches at the Deputy head of the Department of external Church relations of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church Archpriest Nikolay Danilevich. The priest is accused that in 2017 he, as part of a delegation of the UOC, traveled to Istanbul to dissuade Patriarch Bartholomew from the idea of recognizing and presenting autocephaly to the former UOC-KP and UAOC, later merged into the OCU.