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
Former Grand Mufti of Syria sentenced to life imprisonment
A criminal court in Damascus sentenced the former religious leader to life imprisonment for incitement to violence and justification of killings.
Zelensky submitted to the Rada a bill on 23 national shrines
The bill proposes to hold state holidays, ceremonies, and military funerals at national shrines.
Patriarch Bartholomew Celebrated a Service for Ukrainians in Istanbul
The Ecumenical Patriarch expressed hope to visit Kyiv again after the war.
Novynskyi: Monk’s murder stems from hatred fueled against UOC
UOC Protodeacon Vadym Novynskyi said the murder of Monk Varsonofiy at the Sviatohirsk Lavra was a manifestation of hatred, lawlessness and persecution of the Church.
Serbian Church in US denies reports of involvement in honoring Zelensky
The Eastern American Diocese of the Serbian Church commented on reports alleging that Bishop Irinej would take part in presenting an award to the Ukrainian president.
OCU cleric calls UOC an “enemy” and urges unity with Greek Catholics
An OCU cleric said the presence of the UOC in Ukraine amounts to the “presence of the enemy” and called for unification with Greek Catholics.