DESS expert: Phanar Exarch asked bail for Chernyshov under pressure from SBU

Bishop of Comana asks the court to grant bail for Chernyshov. Photo: court broadcast screenshot

Yuriy Chornomorets, a DESS expert and OCU theologian, made a high-profile statement about Michael (Anishchenko), an exarch of the Constantinople Patriarchate, who attempted in court to stand surety for former Vice Prime Minister Chernyshov, accused of massive multi-million corruption.

According to Chornomorets, the bishop’s unexpected conduct was initiated by SBU officers.

On this topic “A good man” – Phanar’s Exarch explains his wish to stand surety for Chernyshov

“This is an exarch – a human being. They put pressure on him, they ‘asked’ him ‘very strongly’… They simply pressured the man, Exarch Michael. Under coercion he went to court and said, essentially, that he could stand surety,” Chornomorets said.

According to the DESS expert, the OCU leadership knows perfectly well how the pressure on Bishop Mykhailo was applied: “I think they know perfectly well that it was the SBU that found what to press on – they ‘asked’ him, he came to court, he spoke.”

Earlier, the UOJ reported that on November 18, 2025, the Phanar’s exarch said he was prepared to stand surety for the former vice prime minister accused of corruption.

Read also

Orthodox and Catholic bishops make joint visit to Mount Athos

The head of the Phanar blessed a joint pilgrimage to Mount Athos by Roman Catholic and Orthodox bishops.

UOC Kryvyi Rih Eparchy marks 30th anniversary

Metropolitan Yefrem led the anniversary Divine Liturgy in Kryvyi Rih.

Ostapenko: Everyone in UCCRO feels fine except the “FSB UOC”

The director of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra National Reserve called the All-Ukrainian Council of Churches “a wonderful organization.”

Khmelnytskyi Eparchy donates funds for treatment of 12-year-old girl

UOC believers raised UAH 20,000 for Anastasiia Mamchur as part of an eparchial charity campaign.

Shevchuk: We had to convince world UOC ban does not violate religious freedom

The UGCC head claims that by banning the UOC, the state is not violating religious freedom but merely protecting the Church’s faithful from Moscow propaganda.

Lavra reserve head estimates damage to Dormition Cathedral at €15 million

Maksym Ostapenko said restoring the Dormition Cathedral would take at least a couple of years and require major funding.