Ukraine: Orthodox Metropolitan to be sent to Russia

As reported by Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty on 23 June 2024, Ukrainian Orthodox Metropolitan Ionafan, who was sentenced to five years in prison in August 2023 for giving support to Russia's invasion of Ukraine, has reportedly been released and will be sent to Moscow. This was announced on 22 June by the Russian Orthodox Church (ROC), following the intervention of ROC Patriarch Kirill.
 
World Watch Research analyst Rolf Zeegers gives some background: “The Orthodox community in Ukraine has been divided since 2018, when the Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople recognized the Orthodox Church of Ukraine (OCU) as independent from Moscow. However, not all Orthodox communities in Ukraine joined the independent Ukrainian church; in the Russian-controlled region of the Donbas the Moscow Patriarchate (UOC) continued to exist. When Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022, the division of the Orthodox community in Ukraine further increased. Ever since Moscow Patriarch Kirill stated that he fully agreed with the Russian government's decision to invade, Orthodox believers faithful to the Moscow Patriarchate (UOC) have been seen as traitors in free Ukraine, while those belonging to the independent OCU are regarded similarly in the Russian-occupied areas of Ukraine. The case of Metropolitan Ionafan is a clear indication that it will be a long time before the rift in the Orthodox church in Ukraine will be overcome.”