During a sermon, the abbot of the Uzhhorod Cathedral of the UOC-MP, Dmytro Sydor, said that he had received a summons amid "persecution of the church." He said this during a sermon at the Holy Cross Cathedral in Uzhhorod.
"While I was under trial and house arrest, I received a summons to the army. What does the military want? (...) What is the purpose of attacking us?" he said.
In addition, he noted that he is now 68 years old and is not subject to mobilization under current law. The priest also said that he had consulted with lawyers about the summons.
As reported, in March, the Uzhhorod City District Court arrested Archpriest Dmytro Sydor, who was suspected by the SBU of promoting religious hatred. Law enforcement officers found that the priest had publicly expressed hostility to another church and fomented religious confrontation in the region. During the services, the abbot spoke insultingly about the faith and beliefs of the OCU believers, calling them "atheists" and religious "dead".
In addition, he was criticized for transferring the faithful of the UOC (MP) to the OCU. Videos and broadcasts of his sermons were distributed on social networks and on the official website of the church.
The priest was served with a notice of suspicion on March 16, 2023.
