Chortkiv, Ternopil Province, Ukraine, November 6, 2024
Photo: spzh.live
A priest of the canonical Ukrainian Orthodox Church suffered a broken rib during detention at a military recruitment center in the Ternopil Province in western Ukraine, in a pattern of pressure on UOC clergy in the region.
Archpriest Oleg Melnik, 55, was stopped and taken to the Territorial Recruitment Center on Saturday, November 2, ostensibly to clarify whether he had undergone a military medical commission. Despite having valid documentation of his clerical status, Fr. Oleg was detained upon arrival, he told the Union of Orthodox Journalists.
During his detention, officials pressured him to transfer to the schismatic “Orthodox Church of Ukraine,” suggesting he could serve as a military chaplain if he switched jurisdictions. “I won’t transfer to the OCU even under threat of execution,” Fr. Oleg responded, defending his Orthodox faith.
The priest reported being denied food for approximately 24 hours, having his phone and clerical identification confiscated, and ultimately being physically assaulted. Though briefly taken to a hospital when his blood pressure spiked, he was returned to the recruitment center where the abuse continued. He is now at home recovering from a broken rib sustained during the incident.
Fr. Oleg was unable to serve the Sunday Liturgy due to his injuries.
This case adds to a 
More Ukrainian priests called up to the armyAs one UOC hierarch explained, the canons forbid clergy from participating in military activity.
“>growing number of reports from western Ukraine where UOC priests have been 
Canonical priests targeted for military draft in Western UkraineEarlier this week, two UOC priests, Archpriest Vasyl and Fr. Stepan Guk, were seized by representatives of the local military recruitment center right after celebrating the Divine Liturgy.”>specifically targeted for military mobilization, raising concerns about religious discrimination. Local observers suggest these incidents may be part of a broader pattern of pressure on clergy who remain loyal to the canonical Ukrainian Orthodox Church rather than joining the state-backed OCU.
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