The invaders’ "authorities" of the Luhansk People's Republic are putting pressure on the leadership of the Luhansk and Sievierodonetsk dioceses of the UOC-MP, demanding that they transfer under the omophorion of the Russian Orthodox Church.
This was reported to Sievierodonetsk Online by an informed source close to the leadership of the Luhansk Diocese of the UOC-MP.
Thus, on April 25, "law enforcement officers" conducted searches in the premises of the diocesan administration of the Luhansk diocese at 29 Krupska Street. The searches were conducted with the direct participation of the Russian Federal Security Service.
"The ruling bishop, Panteleimon (Povorozniuk - Ed.), was accused of collaborating with the special services and the military of Ukraine. He was forced to confess to passing on information about the activities of the UOC-MP in the occupied territories of the Luhansk region. They refused to issue a Russian passport," the source said.
It is also reported that Povorozniuk was ultimately demanded to go under the omophorion of the Russian Orthodox Church. If he refuses, he will be forced to leave the territory under the control of the "LPR".
In the near future, according to the source, the same “educative measures” will be taken in occupied Sievierodonetsk with regard to the Sievierodonetsk Diocese of the UOC-MP. The Russians will demand mandatory re-registration in accordance with Russian law.
As reported, in September 2022, Metropolitan Panteleimon (Povorozniuk) of Luhansk and Alchevsk of the UOC-MP took part in the announcement of the illegal annexation of Kherson, Zaporizhzhia, Luhansk and Donetsk regions by the Russian Federation. Panteleimon's presence in the Kremlin palace was noticed during a live broadcast.