In support of Metropolitan Ionafan of Tulchin, who was sentenced to prison by a Ukrainian court, Catholicos Basil Mar Thoma Mathews III, the head of the Malankara Church in India, has spoken out. This was reported by the Synodal Department for External Church Relations.

"We both are graduates of the Leningrad Theological Academy, and I know very well the spiritual zeal, dedication, and honesty with which he fulfills his pastoral duties. I wholeheartedly sympathize with Metropolitan Ionafan, who serves his flock with unwavering devotion, setting an example of faith, compassion, and humility," the Malankara Catholicos wrote in a message to Patriarch Kirill.

On August 7, a court in Vinnytsia sentenced Metropolitan Ionafan of Tulchin to five years in prison with the confiscation of property. He was accused of inciting interreligious enmity and attempting to undermine the territorial integrity of Ukraine. Metropolitan Ionafan did not admit his guilt. During the trial, he stated that the evidence had been planted. Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia, as well as the heads and clergy of the Jerusalem, Albanian, Coptic, and now Malankara Churches, have come out in defense of Metropolitan Ionafan of Tulchin.

"The verdict handed down to Metropolitan Ionafan not only affects his life but also touches upon the entire global Orthodox community. I call on all international humanitarian organizations to pay attention to the situation and raise their voices against an unjust verdict, the purpose of which is to shake the foundations of the Church and the lives of its believers. In these troubled times, let us not forget the words of Christ, urging us to stand guard over truth and justice," the Malankara Church leader said in his message.

Catholicos Basil Mar Thoma Mathews III has conveyed words of support to Metropolitan Ionafan and Patriarch Kirill, expressing hope for a just resolution to the situation.