Metropolitan Jonathan: I am accused of being Ukraine's greatest villain

Metropolitan Jonathan. Photo: vinnitsa.info

On June 16, 2023, Metropolitan Jonathan (Yeletskikh) of Tulchyn and Bratslav, during a regular meeting of the Vinnytsia City Court, said that he was accused of being "the biggest villain of Ukraine", reports vinnitsa.info.

"The sentence is passed in the name of Ukraine, and the name of Ukraine must be pure and holy," the UOC hierarch said.

In court, Metropolitan Jonathan is defended by three lawyers: Sergei Rybak, Eugene Cherny, and Igor Chudovsky.
After the hearing, an unidentified activist staged a provocation, shouting insulting words in the direction of Metropolitan Jonathan.

On June 5, 2023, the Vinnytsia City Court began to consider the case of Metropolitan Jonathan of Tulchyn and Bratslav (Yeletskikh).

The hierarch of the UOC is accused under four articles of the Criminal Code of Ukraine: Part 2 of Article 109 (actions aimed at a violent change or overthrow of the constitutional order or seizure of state power), Part 1 of Article 110 (an attack on the territorial integrity and inviolability of Ukraine), Part 3 of Article 436-2 (justification, recognition as lawful, denial of armed aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine, glorification of its participants) and Part 2 of Article 161 (violation of equality of citizens based on their religious preferences).

As reported, the trial of Metropolitan Jonathan of Tulchyn and Bratslav started in Vinnytsia.

Read also

Interview with His Eminence Metropolitan Nicholas, First Hierarch of ROCOR

The Southern Clergy Retreat and the Growth of Orthodoxy in the South

Christian Orthodox Coalition Calls for Action Amid Syrian Crisis

March 19, 2025 – The Christian Orthodox Coalition in the United States has issued a powerful statement condemning the ongoing persecution of Orthodox Christians in war-torn Syria.

EP Hopes US Visit Will Boost Abp. Elpidophoros' Declining Influence

The National Herald reports that Patriarch Bartholomew will travel to America to seek new connections with Washington and support Archbishop Elpidophoros.

Metropolitan Joan of Korca elected as Primate of the Albanian Orthodox Church

Albanian Orthodox Church Elevates Met. Joan (Pelushi) to Primate After Archbishop Anastasi’s Repose

The 17th Anniversary of the Repose of Met. Laurus (Shkurla), First Hierarch of the ROCOR

Parishes of the Eastern American Diocese (ROCOR) lifted up their prayers in remembrance of the much-loved Vladyka Laurus on the anniversary of his repose.

"The entire family has been massacred in Baniyas, Syria. They were Orthodox Christians. Humanity has failed!"

Social media is telling the stories Corporate Media will not, and people are taking notice.