OSCE reps reported on seizure of churches in Ivano-Frankivsk Eparchy
The illustrative photo from open sources
On January 21, 2020, Archpriest Vasily Romaniuk, the secretary of the Ivano-Frankivsk Eparchy of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, met with representatives of the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission in Ukraine, reports the eparchy’s press service.
During the meeting, which was held in the office of the OSCE Mission in Ivano-Frankivsk, the parties discussed the state of religious freedom in the region and the observance of the rights of believers of the UOC in the Carpathian region. In particular, the talk was about the seizure of the temples of the canonical Church in the villages of Probiynivka and Gryniava of the Verkhovyna region.
We recall that the St. Demetrius Church of the UOC of the village of Probiynivka was taken over by the OCU supporters on December 15, 2019. Unknown persons who introduced themselves as “ATO warriors” broke locks and sealed the temple. This was preceded by the illegal re-registration of the religious community of the UOC to the OCU.
In December 2019, supporters of the newly formed church structure also seized the Holy Assumption Church of the UOC, which is part of the same temple complex in the village of Gryniava.
Read also
Kosovo to enact law restricting Serbian Church, experts say
Analysts warn that the new "Law on Foreigners" in Kosovo could restrict the presence of clergy, believers' access to shrines, and increase pressure on the Serbian community.
Congress Speaker: Demand to introduce Sharia law in USA is a serious problem
The Speaker of the House of Representatives stated that there is growing concern in society about attempts to impose Islamic law, which is incompatible with the American Constitution.
UK government introduces restrictions on "anti-Muslim hostility"
UK authorities have adopted a new definition of "Islamophobia" which, according to experts, could provide Muslims with special protection and restrict freedom of speech.
Dumenko brings icon in Church Slavonic to Ministry of Health
Epifaniy presented cardiologists with an Intercession icon, with inscriptions in Church Slavonic, which his structure calls a "sign of the Moscow tradition".
ISIS supporters carries out terrorist attack at anti-Islamic protest in NY
Near the home of New York's Muslim mayor, radicals threw two makeshift bombs at protesters during an anti-Islamic rally.
Hryshchuk: If UOC hands over its church itself, angle grinders aren't needed
An OCU chaplain called on UOC believers to accept the loss of the shrine for the sake of their own "enlightenment".