Orthodox bishop cloistered after bar brawl

A Ukrainian Orthodox archbishop has apparently been sent to a monastery after getting involved in a bar fight.

Archbishop Mstyslav (pictured) is a prelate of the Autocephalous Orthodox Church, the smallest of the Ukraine’s three Orthodoxies.

According to the BBC, Mstyslav, archbishop of Ternopil and Podillya, was with several other clergymen in a bar in Ternopil when the fight erupted sometime last week.

CCTV footage shows the clergymen dancing with various women before the mood turns sour as other non-clerical patrons of the bar move in. Fists eventually start flying and military policemen arrive to break up the melee.

The Ukrainian channel’s 1+1 TV news reported the event on 16 October and included some footage of the fracas.

Archbishop Mstyslav has reportedly denied any involvement but the head of the church, Metropolitan Makariy has issued a statement in which he said: “I, as the church head, would like to apologise to the UAOC and all Ukrainian believers for the actions of the clergymen.”

The church leaders seem particularly annoyed that Archbishop Mstyslav and the other priests held their ultimately eventful outing on one of the church’s feast days, likely the Protection of Our Most Holy Lady the Mother of God and Ever-Virgin Mary on 14 October, which is meant to be a day of fasting.

All of the priests involved in the incident have been suspended from their pastoral duties pending an investigation and Archbishop Mstyslav has been confined to a monastery for a month to “repent” and no doubt reflect.