Priest from the canonical Ukrainian Orthodox Church is falsely accused of assault
June 14, 2017 – The Rector of the Saint-Peter and Paul Church of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (Moscow Patriarchate) has been falsely accused of having assaulted with a member of the Kiev Patriarchate. This information was presented to him at the police station where he was detained.
The incident circles around a conflict with the Kiev Patriarchate. The case was opened against Father Vitaliy Gurev, the Rector of the church, using Article 126 of the Criminal Code. When the church was being seized on May 15, 2017, he was pushed out of the premises down the church’s stairs. His clothes have also been ripped as a result of the clash.
The church was then re-registered under the Kiev Patriarchate by the local authorities. The parish members of the canonical church were pushed out, and the priest was initially blocked inside. Father Vitaly Gurev than launched a criminal pursuit under articles 126 (“Inflicting Severe Bodily Injuries”) and article 179 (“the capture of religious property”).
The results of the conflict will be decided in court. At the current time, the parish members of the canonical Church use a private home for their church services.