Bushcha: OCU followers fire away evil spirit at the "consecration" of water
Hunters at the "consecration" of water in Bushcha. Photo: Facebook
The water "consecration" on the day of the Holy Theophany of Our Lord Jesus Christ in the Bushcha community of the OCU in the Zdolbuniv district, Rivne region, was accompanied by single shots from hunting rifles. The corresponding video with 15 hunters shooting at the same time, was posted on Facebook and Instagram by local activists.
It turns out that this spectacular tradition has been respected in Bushcha since ancient times. As local resident Nikolai Uzhvin wrote on his page, people believe that in this way they drive away evil spirits.
“This is an ancient custom, especially in forest villages. In such a way, evil spirits are driven away. You can find this in the works of Ukrainian ethnographers,” he said.
According to the stories of Bushcha residents, it was local hunters who were the main initiators of the seizure of the temple.
As reported earlier, the community of the UOC of the village of Bushcha built a new church instead of the one taken over by OCU supporters in March 2019 with the assistance of the head of the local district state administration.
Read also
UOC priest’s home damaged in drone strike on Poltava
The home of Archpriest Kostiantyn Fisun, rector of St. Seraphim Church in Poltava, was damaged in a drone attack.
Kyiv Theological Schools begin enrollment for catechetical courses
The Kyiv Theological Academy has announced enrollment for the St. Peter Mohyla Catechetical Courses for laypeople.
Greek hierarch criticizes new school textbooks containing LGBT propaganda
Metropolitan Seraphim called on parents to monitor school lessons in order to protect their children.
Site blessed for new church construction in Oleksandriia Eparchy
On the feast day of St. Seraphim of Sarov, Metropolitan Boholep laid a foundation capsule for a new church.
World Council of Churches condemns confiscation of Evangelical church in Iran
Secretary General Jerry Pillay demanded the return of the St. Peter's Church compound to believers.
Poland repeals law recognizing same-sex unions concluded in EU
The court ruled that the registration of foreign same-sex unions contradicts the article of the Constitution defining marriage as a union of a man and a woman.