Bishop Nicodemus (Kulygin) of Kherson and Tavria in the Orthodox Church of Ukraine managed to escape from Russian captivity.
This was reported by Father Ivan Zamarayev, the secretary of the Kherson diocese.
The hierarch had been in captivity in Oleshky for over 500 days.
"It is hard to describe in just a few words how difficult it was for him and the trials he had to go through, the sufferings and humiliation he had to endure. This is already a topic for memoirs," the priest wrote on his Facebook page.
Bishop Nicodemus will participate in the Archpastoral Council in Kyiv next week.
"Thanks to God, the long and difficult journey through several countries is behind him, and now the path leads to Kyiv to participate in the Archpastoral Council of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine next week. And then he will return to the rescued Kherson. May an angel protect him on his journey!" Father Ivan noted.
As stated by Metropolitan Yevstratiy (Zoria) of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine, in captivity, the Russians tried to force Bishop Nicodemus to switch to the Moscow Patriarchate, but their efforts were in vain.
"I know more details, but it is not the time to speak about it yet. Thank God for his release from Russian captivity!"
Bishop Nicodemus spent over 500 days in captivity in Oleshky, and they approached him with persuasions and threats to make him join the Moscow Patriarchate. However, the Bishop was not intimidated, did not yield, and did not comply, unlike a significant number of clergy from the MP in Ukraine, who chose to serve the occupiers.
May God continue to protect you, dear Bishop Nicodemus!" the hierarch of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine wrote on his Facebook page.