The SBU conducted a search at the premises of UOC Chancellor Metropolitan Antoniy

The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) is conducting a search at the residence of Metropolitan Antoniy (Pakanich), who serves as the Chancellor of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC) and is a permanent member of the UOC’s Holy Synod.

This information comes from media sources familiar with the situation.

According to reports, the search is connected to an investigation into alleged “obstruction of the activities of religious communities, particularly regarding their re-subordination” — referring to efforts by some communities to switch from the UOC to the Orthodox Church of Ukraine (OCU).

It is worth recalling that in May 2023, Metropolitan Antoniy was detained at a checkpoint in Kyiv Oblast and subjected to a search. He was informed that the inspection was due to his presence in the Myrotvorets (Peacemaker) database. During the incident, military personnel, assisted by police, thoroughly searched his vehicle, checked all containers, and even inspected his medications.

In autumn 2023, media reported an attack on Metropolitan Feodosius (Snihiryov) of Cherkasy and Kaniv during the storming of a church in Cherkasy by OCU supporters. Following the incident, the SBU petitioned to strengthen the cleric’s pre-trial restrictions from nighttime house arrest to 24-hour house arrest. At the time, Feodosius was facing charges related to the justification of Russian aggression.