Abducted by military commissars, archimandrite reveals TRC detention details

Archimandrite Bohdan. Photo: Pershyi Kozatskyi

Archimandrite Bohdan (Pilhui), abbot of the men's monastery of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC) in honor of the "Quick to Hear" Icon of the Mother of God in Babai, Kharkiv Eparchy, revealed details of his detention by the Territorial Recruitment Center (TRC). A video of the priest's testimony was published by kozakTv1.

"I was held in a place where there was no sunlight, only hatred, malice, oppression of people, where a person is not considered a person. Let alone a priest, who is treated just the same," the clergyman shared about the conditions of detention.

Of particular concern is the system of treatment described by Archimandrite Bohdan: "First, they strip you of your human dignity, trying to make you feel like you are no one and nothing. Then they take you around and trade you."

According to the archimandrite, other clergymen are still being held in various TRCs, including Deacon Serhii from Chuhuiv. All of them face degrading treatment and verbal abuse, including profanities. "Only deep prayer gave me the strength not to lose heart and fall into despair," said Father Bohdan.

The clergyman appealed to the faithful, urging them to take action: "Do not remain silent – share the videos wherever possible so that people learn the truth about the insanity that is happening."

Earlier, the UOJ reported that the TRC in Kharkiv region attempted to forcibly mobilize the abbot of a UOC monastery. After information about the case spread, Archimandrite Bohdan was released.

Read also