Primate of UOC details the release of "cyborg" Taras Kolodiy

December 19, at a briefing on the release of "cyborg" Taras Kolodiy His Beatitude Metropolitan Onufriy of Kiev and All Ukraine spoke about the role of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church and the Primate of the Russian Orthodox Church in his liberation.

"Our Church addressed the question of Taras Kolodiy’s release very seriously, for some time. I wrote an appeal, had a meeting with His Holiness Patriarch Kirill and requested him to apply to the relevant authorities that are related to the retention of Taras in captivity so that they would let him go because he is our countryman," said His Beatitude.

"I haven’t met Taras before – I knew his friends. Sergey Biloshitsky, Taras’s commander asked us to help with his release, and we did it with pleasure. When a person is in trouble, the Church does not ask a man what faith he practices, the Church is trying to help the man. It is our sacred duty and we did everything to free Taras," said the Primate of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church.

Metropolitan Onufriy highlighted the active involvement of Patriarch Kirill in the process of liberation. "He personally appealed to all authorities. Much effort was devoted to be heard by all and ensure the release of this man," said His Beatitude.

As reported by the UOJ, the clergy of the UOC helped release the captured "cyborg" Taras Kolodiy.