Ukraine probes ROC ties in archbishop case

Ukrainian law enforcement authorities have conducted searches connected to activity involving Archbishop Arkady of Sverdlovsk and the Rovenky diocese, who is associated with the Russian Orthodox Church. The report comes from a Ukrainian publication that monitors legal and religious affairs. The article identifies Archbishop Arkady, also known as Taranov, as the head of the Rovenky diocese of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church and notes that investigators have pursued leads related to collaboration. The piece specifies that the searches took place in Odessa, the city where the archbishop is registered, while it is stated that he is currently on the territory of the Russian Federation. The situation is described as part of ongoing investigations into possible cross border activities and affiliations involving church figures within Ukraine and Russia, as reported by the source. According to the account, Ukrainian security services are involved in verifying connections and potential acts of collaboration, with the report emphasizing that Archbishop Arkady maintains ties to the ROC through his official role and diocesan leadership. The article cites the context that such investigations are situated within broader regulatory measures and sanctions that have affected church figures connected with the Moscow Patriarchate, including references to sanctions lists that have circulated since last year. It is noted that those compiling the lists can access names and surnames of all Russian Orthodox Church bishops from official church calendars or from public church websites, which has allowed for the rapid dissemination of information about clerical figures purported to be under scrutiny. The narrative highlights the interplay between Ukrainian authorities assessing possible cooperation with foreign church structures and the broader ecclesiastical landscape, where church calendars and public rosters serve as sources of information for verification and accountability. The overall account portrays a moment where church leadership, regional jurisdictions, and law enforcement intersect, drawing attention to the role of archival and official listings in shaping public understanding of ongoing investigations and the reputational implications for clergy connected to cross border governance. The report, attributed to the Ukrainian edition of Left Bank, frames the actions as part of a wider continuum of policy and legal steps directed at ensuring transparency in ecclesiastical associations across national boundaries [Source: Left Bank].