SBU conducting investigations at a security company helping the Church

Employees of the security company "Stealth-1"

On Tuesday, February 26, 2019, the SBU officers came to the main office of the security company "Stealth-1" with a search. According to the UOJ, at the moment the building is cordoned off, entrances and exits are blocked, and the phones – removed from the employees.

The security company "Stealth-1" is known for the fact that for more than one year it has officially provided protection for UOC churches, religious processions and various church events.

The source of the UOJ reported that the searches are simultaneously being held in two offices and in the apartment of the company's owner, deacon Viacheslav Pavliv. The official reasons for the operational actions are unknown.

“The building is cordoned off, searches are being conducted, nobody is allowed in,” said the source. “Earlier Father Viacheslav has been unofficially warned that for his work on helping the Church "there would be a payback".  He was warned of searches and pressure from the tax inspection."

“Stealth-1”, founded in 1997, provides protection for objects of any category of complexity throughout Ukraine, ensuring the protection of individuals and legal entities.

The company's slogan: “Our mission is to guard and protect. We are always there!”

In 2018, the “Stealth-1” company attracted attention of the radicals from S14.

“This security company guarded the cross procession of the Moscow Patriarchate and also participated in many raider operations of the FSB Church,” the leader of the radical group Yevgeny Karas wrote then. “It is a big security company, the degree of threat from which is difficult to assess. They have not yet entered into ‘the game’ in earnest."

As the UOJ reported, earlier, without explanation, the SBU officers detained the abbot of the Tithes (Desiatinny) Monastery Bishop Gedeon (Kharon) of Makarov at the Borispol airport. The cleric was later deported to the United States. A few days later, the SBU initiated a meeting with the Primate of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, His Beatitude Metropolitan Onufry of Kiev and All Ukraine, "to inform the Primate of the UOC MP about the information related to extremist actions."

Read also

In Ukraine, Trump’s 'spiritual advisor' reassured of religious freedom

Pastor Mark Burns stated that Ukraine, despite the war, is a "beacon of religious freedom."

Lavra brethren congratulate Metropolitan Pavel on 31 years as abbot

The monks of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra have expressed hope that they will soon be able to pray again with their abbot.

Amsterdam: Intrusion into Lavra Caves – a return to Soviet-era persecution

International lawyer Robert Amsterdam has condemned the actions of Ukraine’s Ministry of Culture regarding the inspection of holy relics in the Caves of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra, calling it a violation of religious freedom.

Over 20 EU states condemn Hungary for ban on LGBT propaganda among children

“This restricts the right to peaceful assembly and freedom of expression,” diplomats state in a joint declaration.

His Beatitude officiates consecration of Bishop of Rakhiv

At the Church of St. Agapitus in the Lavra, the Primate of the UOC ordained a vicar for the Khust Eparchy.

Met Victor: It is painful to see Lavra's relics turned into test subjects

According to the bishop, there is particular concern over how members of the scientific commission will handle the holy relics.