Vinnitsa state employees are forced to attend OCU services
The Holy Transfiguration Cathedral of Vinnitsa is under control of Metropolitan Simeon banned from ministry
From the evening of December 15, 2018 (Saturday), the leadership obliged Vinnitsa state employees to attend almost every service at the Holy Transfiguration Cathedral, which is occupied by Metropolitan Simeon (Shostatsky) banned from serving by the Synod of the UOC.
Our sources told a UOJ correspondent that the citizens of Ukraine had to ensure maximum attendance on Sunday. People are forced to go to the services under signature; at some enterprises, employees are forcibly divided into groups to attend the Cathedral seized by the OCU.
In the case of disobedience or disclosure of information, employees of the city executive committee, medical and educational institutions and other state establishments are threatened with dismissal.
On December 17, 2018, the Synod of the UOC decided to ban Metropolitan Simeon (Shostatsky) from ministry.
On the same day, at the evening Divine service, Vladyka Simeon said that the UOC believers would not be able to return the Transfiguration Cathedral in Vinnitsa, as it was in 1991. The bishop, banned from ministry, said that the Cathedral’s premises remained with the community, which had joined the OCU.
Read also
Greek authorities to close illegal mosques in Athens
A large-scale inspection of religious sites has begun in Athens, during which authorities intend to close around 60 mosques operating without permits
Polish Church discusses prospects for Orthodox religious classes in schools
In Warsaw, representatives of the Polish Orthodox Church and the Ministry of National Education examined the future of Orthodox religious education in schools.
Bulgaria to allocate €1.5 million for road to Zograf Monastery on Mount Athos
The Bulgarian government will finance repairs to the road leading to Zograf Monastery on Mount Athos, a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Kyiv–Pechersk Lavra brotherhood honors memory of Hieromartyr Volodymyr
Services were held at the Kyiv Lavra on the day of remembrance of St Volodymyr, Metropolitan of Kyiv and Halych.
Abp Elpidophoros: Ukraine will shape the future of inter-Orthodox relations
The head of the Ecumenical Patriarchate’s Archdiocese of America said that the outcome of the war in Ukraine will determine church relations among the Orthodox Churches.
Case opened against organizer of UOC believers’ cross procession in Bukovyna
Police drew up an administrative report against a believer of the Chernivtsi Eparchy who organized a prayer procession to the skete of Blessed Xenia of St Petersburg in the village of Molnytsia.