Two-Year Suspended Sentence for Ukrainian Orthodox Church Metropolitan Who Called for Armed Action Against Rival Faith

Metropolitan Antoniy Sentenced for Inciting Religious Hatred

According to Главком: A court has handed down a sentence against Metropolitan Antoniy (secular name Vasyl Fiyalko) of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church under the Moscow Patriarchate (UOC-MP) for inciting religious hatred. He received two years of imprisonment, which was converted into a two-year probationary period, along with an additional penalty barring him from serving as head of any religious administration or diocese for two years. The verdict stems from a sermon delivered on May 22, 2022, in Khmelnytskyi, where Antoniy was then leading the Khmelnytskyi and Shepetivka Diocese of the UOC-MP.

Core of the Accusations

During that sermon, footage of which spread on Instagram, Antoniy made statements that authorities deemed calls for violence. Witness testimony, including from clergy, confirmed his guilt. One witness, a priest's assistant, believed the speech aimed to defend the church, while another witness, a priest from the Orthodox Church of Ukraine (OCU), reported hearing remarks that appeared to urge confrontation. Two experts identified signs of religious hatred and incitement in the sermon.

The defendant pleaded not guilty and claimed he could not recall the events of May 22, 2022. He also suggested the video might have been generated by artificial intelligence, but the court dismissed this as unfounded. The criminal complaint was filed by two individuals who stated that the metropolitan's words 'create discord in society… and incite religious hatred within the country during Russia's unprovoked war against Ukraine.'

On April 3, 2023, the Holy Synod of the UOC-MP removed Antoniy from his leadership of the Khmelnytskyi Diocese and placed him into retirement. Archbishop Viktor of Baryshivka was appointed as the new diocesan administrator. On May 23, 2023, Antoniy was reassigned as Metropolitan of Makariv, a vicar of the Kyiv Metropolis. Notably, Antoniy linked his removal to rumors about a potential transfer to the OCU.

As part of his sentence, the convict must report any changes in residence or employment and is prohibited from leaving Ukraine without permission. One expert noted that the sermon used language with negative, ironic, contemptuous, and degrading connotations. The expert also identified a public call for violent actions against supporters of the OCU and an indirect prohibition against switching to that church.

This verdict highlights the deep religious tensions in Ukraine against the backdrop of the ongoing war with Russia. Sermons perceived as hateful can have serious repercussions for interfaith relations within the country. Antoniy's removal from his diocese and subsequent appointment to a different role reflect internal shifts within the UOC-MP, suggesting efforts to adapt to changing societal realities and reduce the risk of conflicts between religious groups.