The so-called representatives of the “MGB of the DPR” and the occupation authorities tried to force the priests of the OCU in Donetsk region Andrii Chui and Khristofor Khrimli to transfer to the Moscow Patriarchate.
Archbishop of Donetsk and Mariupol Serhiy Horobtsov told Suspil Donbas about this.
As you know, on September 17, representatives of the so-called “MGB of the DPR” detained Ukrainian priest Archpriest Andrii (Chuya) in occupied Donetsk. On the same day, it became known about the detention of the clergyman of the Donetsk diocese of the UOC, Father Hristofor (Khrimli), in one of the occupied settlements of the Volnova district.
As Serhiy Horobtsov said, Archpriest Andriy was a priest of the Kyiv Patriarchate until 2014. With the occupation of Donetsk in 2014, he decided to stay in the city for a number of reasons.
“He refused to leave, citing the fact that he did not participate in pro-Ukrainian rallies. He was simply fulfilling his mission as a Ukrainian priest — confessing, giving communion, and performing the sacraments for his parishioners. He also engaged in charity work, helping the needy and seriously ill. He was a real pastor for his flock,” the archbishop said.
Father Khristofor entered the occupation already after February 24, 2022. It was located in one of the settlements of Volnovasky district. According to Andrii Horobtsov, he refused to evacuate because of his bedridden mother.
“For the entire time, the so-called representatives of the “MGB of the DPR” and the occupation authorities tried to force them to transfer to the Moscow Patriarchate. They repeatedly visited parishes with various commissions, communicated with the faithful, directly with the clergy. They even offered money. They said: that you should go to MP. You will be reassigned by Metropolitan Hilarion, nicknamed Shukalo, who heads the Donetsk Diocese of the MP. And you will serve in the same place and in your temples only under MP. And you will have everything: help, money, and protection. Otherwise, you will be arrested and your property will be confiscated. You will be chased, persecuted, even your home will be taken away,” the archbishop said.
On September 18, one of the parishioners informed Andriy Horobtsov about the arrest of Ukrainian priests.
“And yesterday I learned that one priest was taken at night, and the other early in the morning. They arrived, put on handcuffs and took away. Now they are in Donetsk,” he added.
Horobtsov also said that so far the relatives have managed to hand over food and clothes to the imprisoned priests. The occupying authorities have not yet brought “official” charges against them.
“I know these priests – they are real. They love God, they love their flock. I am sure that they will be beaten there so that they get a Russian passport, so that they renounce the Orthodox Church of Ukraine and join the MP,” he noted.
Also, Serhii Horobtsov said that he passed the information about the arrest of priests by the occupiers to the Security Service of Ukraine so that they could be included in the lists for exchange.