A leading Ukrainian Orthodox Church cleric has reached out to Keir Starmer for assistance in urging President Volodymyr Zelensky to cease his crackdown on the church and its priests. Metropolitan Arseniy, the abbot of the Dormition Sviatohirsk Lavra, was detained on suspicion of sharing information about armed forces movements with Russia. He alleges that this detention is part of a broader persecution of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church by Zelensky’s administration during the ongoing conflict.
Metropolitan Arseniy, who has been in custody since April, exclusively spoke to The Independent, calling on the UK to use its influence to halt the persecution faced by his church. The issue was raised at an international conference in Berlin, drawing concerns from Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby and the Foreign Office. However, criticism has emerged due to the delay in appointing a new envoy for religious freedom since the departure of former Tory MP Fiona Bruce.
Former Tory leader Sir Iain Duncan Smith highlighted the absence of UK representation at the Berlin conference and emphasised the importance of championing religious freedom worldwide. A Downing Street spokesperson confirmed that an appointment for the role of envoy for freedom of religion and belief will be made in due course. The Metropolitan’s plea for help comes amidst attempts by the Ukrainian government to have Ukrainian MP Artem Dmytruk, a critic of the anti-Orthodox church policy, deported from the UK.
Metropolitan Arseniy refuted the accusations levelled against the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, asserting its independence from Russian propaganda. He recounted the monastery’s history of resilience, having been closed during the Soviet era and reopened following the collapse of the USSR. Despite the monastery’s contributions to supporting displaced individuals during the conflict, Ukrainian authorities targeted both the institution and Metropolitan Arseniy himself.
Metropolitan Arseniy described his detainment as a harsh ordeal, emphasising the violation of legal procedures and poor conditions during transit to court hearings. The 56-year-old cleric expressed his hope for justice, the reconstruction of the monastery, and peace in Ukraine. He urged for an end to the assault on the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, stressing the importance of unity among Ukrainians. The cleric’s call for intervention highlights the escalating tensions faced by religious institutions in conflict-affected regions.