The family of the deceased soldier demands 8 million UAH from the archimandrite of the UOC MP

In Khmelnytskyi region, the family of a deceased serviceman filed a civil lawsuit against the abbot of the Holy Cross Exaltation Men's Monastery of the UOC MP, Archimandrite Ioasaf (in secular life – Ihor Horkavchuk). The family seeks to receive 8 million UAH in compensation for moral damages. According to the investigation, the abbot beat the serviceman, resulting in his death.

The court proceedings, which began in October, have had the suspect in custody for four months now, without the possibility of bail. In mid-November, the appellate court rejected the change of preventive measure due to a lack of evidence of deterioration in the health of the cleric.

Previously, Ioasaf had been brought to court twice for driving under the influence of alcohol. In 2015, he was fined 3.4 thousand UAH, and in 2019 - 10.2 thousand UAH and had his right to drive vehicles revoked for a year.

After the incident, the Khmelnytskyi eparchy of the UOC MP suspended the abbot from duties. According to YouControl, Ioasaf has led the men's monastery in Starokostiantyniv since 2005. In 2025, he ended up in the database of «Myrotvorets».

The civil lawsuit against the abbot of the UOC MP monastery stemmed not only from the tragic incident but also from previous violations of the law by the cleric, indicating an escalation of conflict between him and the community. The court process is ongoing, and public and church reactions to this case remain contradictory.