Hit the road, mother! – A UOC cleric tells how OCU seizes temples

Believers managed to defend the temple in Starye Koshary from seizure by the OCU supporters

One of the former rectors of St. John the Theologian temple of the UOC in Starye Koshary village, Kovel district of Volyn region, Archpriest Vladimir Shkvarok addressed an open letter to the children and grandchildren of his parishioners.

A letter about the consequences of the split he addressed on his Facebook page to young resident of the village named Ivanka, and in her face – to all young residents of the village, where supporters of the OCU threaten to seize the temple at Easter.

The UOJ cites the text of the address in full:

“My letter as a former rector of the church of St John the Theologian in Starye Koshary is associated with the events of Saturday, April 20, when there was an attempt to seize the temple by representatives of the OCU. This letter was written to my beloved family of parishioners of our community from Koshary, with whom we have warm relations. Or rather, to the younger generation of this large family, but it all began with your grandmother, Ivanochka.

Ivanochka, in my family where I come from there were five children, I am the fourth child, but none of us has ever come to our mother with a demand: now it’s my house, we have “re-registered” it – get out of here! Each child, having entered into marriage, built himself a house and helped our parents.

Such a “get-out-of-here-mother” situation is occurring in Koshary.

All of you are children of that Church, but to come with papers where it is stated that the priest, the parishioners who did not agree to go to the OCU, were "re-registered" without their consent (I agree that those who have their own opinion had the right to register a NEW parallel community), and demand to get out is similar to as if a child came to the mother demanding to leave the house, because he or she is now an adult and has fists.

I understand that these words of mine do not affect decisions made by someone, let them do as they see fit. I do not understand why you should be participants in this atrocity? I witnessed the Sunday event, I saw those zealous fighters for the temple who fought to capture it, I know the worth of faith of these fighters which testifies, to my shame, that I probably did not even teach them basic prayers "Rejoice to the Virgin Mary, let alone the “Symbol of Faith”, but I was surprised to see so much hatred in their eyes, the shouts and threats to Father Sergiy (the current rector of the church, Archpriest Sergiy Koreniuk – Ed.)

I testify: they are atheists by nature. Object to me and give examples of their faith. I was given examples of managerial shortcomings of Father Sergiy. Maybe, this is true, but then I will ask the "judges" to give examples of his spiritual shortcomings: perhaps, he prayed little for you? Perhaps, he was too lazy to confess you? Perhaps, he was not interested in the problems of life, diseases of your old parents, mortally ill children? No, I know the fruits of his prayers, particularly in your family. He is your father, "mentor", as our people say. Probably, he is not an ideal manager, but, after all – did you ask God for a good manager or a good priest?

I know one mistake of Father Sergiy – he did everything himself. When it was necessary to tidy up the temple – he did it together with his wife and children, when it was mowing time around the temple – he took a scythe and did it alone. Now I ask you: where is your wisdom and love for the shrine, why did the current "fighters" for the church not stand with scythes in rows around the temple? I have the answer: you must love the temple, respect your priest like a father and think: what else can I do to help him?

This is a catastrophe of your village – indifference. In order not to sound unfounded, I will give an example – your mother, a wonderful person, should remember it. When my daughter Olga was born, my parishioners of the temple decided to bring one liter of milk a day by turn from every household, and no matter how much I opposed it, they insisted; it lasted for a while until somebody came up with a proposal to stop this charity. Why? The Orthodox people offered it with the argument that “I'd rather pour this liter of milk under an apple tree than give it to the priest”. And there were no reproaches to me as a priest. I can cite other examples of “love” or true love for the priest; you were still a small girl then but your mother should remember.

Summing up, I would say that I was distressed to be standing and singing in front of the church doors, seeing how the people for whom you prayed fight against those for whom you pray, so I’m not worth sixpence.”

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The conflict in Starye Koshary has been going on since April 5, when the rural community ignored the opinion of the UOC community and re-registered the temple of the holy Apostle John the Theologian in favor of the OCU. On April 20, the schismatics attempted to seize the temple. Believers were able to repel the attack, but on April 23, the village chief Galina Shepsheley, warned the rector, Sergiy Korenyuk, that if the church was not given voluntarily, it would be taken away at Easter.

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