Ukraine Detains UOC Bishop Seraphim for Military Service Duty

The Ukrainian military has detained UOC Bishop Seraphim for military service, marking a significant escalation in the forced recruitment of Orthodox clergy under a recently enacted law that eliminates their exemption from conscription.

Bishop Seraphim, a prominent figure within the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC), was taken into custody on September 10, 2025, as part of ongoing efforts by the Ukrainian government to bolster its military ranks amidst the ongoing conflict with Russia. The new legislation, which came into effect earlier this month, mandates that all religious leaders are subject to military service, a move that has sparked controversy and concern within the religious community.

This detention follows a series of similar actions taken against other UOC clergy, raising alarms about the government’s approach to religious institutions during wartime. Previous reports indicated that the UOC has faced increasing pressure since the start of the conflict, with several bishops and priests being summoned for military service in recent months, leading to widespread fears of persecution.

The implications of Bishop Seraphim"s detention may reverberate through the Orthodox community in Ukraine, potentially exacerbating tensions between the church and the state. As the situation develops, observers will be closely monitoring how this affects the UOC and its followers, given the historical significance of the church in Ukrainian society. For more on how state actions are affecting various institutions, see our recent developments on similar situations in the political realm.