Congresswoman: We worked with Ukrainian govt to secure Met Arseniy’s release
Metropolitan Arseniy. Photo: UOC press service
Metropolitan Arseniy (Yakovenko) was released from pre-trial detention following talks between American lawmakers and the Ukrainian authorities. Congresswoman Anna Paulina Luna reported this on X on May 31, 2026.
According to Luna, her office had deliberately worked to secure Metropolitan Arseniy’s release from imprisonment, as the hierarch needed urgent heart surgery. "I am happy to report he was released to receive the desperate medical attention he needed and, although on house arrest, is now recovering," the congresswoman said.
“I want to thank the Ukrainian officials we worked with on this issue and will continue to maintain open lines of communication,” Luna wrote.
As the UOJ reported, a lawyer for the Ukrainian Orthodox Church thanked U.S. politicians for helping secure Metropolitan Arseniy’s release. Earlier, Greek media also indicated that the bishop’s release had come as a result of pressure from the United States.
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.