OCU raiders cut locks and seize UOC temple in Susval
The Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary in the village of Susval, Volyn region. Photo: UOJ
On February 14, 2020, around 9:30 p.m., a group of raiders, UOC activists, with pre-arranged tools, locks, an angle grinder and a generator, broke into the territory of the Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary of the UOC in Volyn village Susval. The attackers have already opened the entrance to the temple and occupied the altar.
It is also reported that a group of men with signs of intoxication had gathered at the house of one of the UOC activists the day before. It was quiet near the temple 15-20 minutes before the raider attack.
The rector of the UOC community, priest Bohdan Hnatiuk, reported that the police were called to the scene but 20 minutes later they still didn’t arrive.
The parishioners of the UOC also gathered near the temple.
We recall that the UOC community in Susval village was illegally re-registered to the new church structure on March 26, 2019. The case is being considered in court.
On January 31, 2020, the UOC church in Susval was sealed by representatives of Volodymyr-Volynsky police department. Also, law enforcement officials said that any intrusion into the church before the court decision would be considered as arbitrary behaviour.
Read also
OCU cleric responds to Hryshchuk's provocations at funerals for AFU soldiers
Sofroniy Chuprina refuted claims about the necessity of opening the Royal Doors during funeral services.
Kosmach residents accuse OCU monks of supporting "Russian world" ideas
Parishioners of the OCU stated that the monastery residents near the village of Kosmach use pro-Russian rhetoric, preventing them from switching to the "new calendar".
Medieval church in England safeguarded with National Lottery funds
The preservation of a 13th-century church in Leicestershire was made possible thanks to money from British National Lottery draws.
Lavra Reserve marks centenary of Bolshevik seizure of the monastery
Reconstructions of museum exhibits from the “museum town,” which the Bolsheviks proclaimed within the monastery walls, were staged by the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra Reserve.
Sweden stops state support for Islamic organizations in country
The Swedish government has officially stopped all taxpayer-funded grants to the aid organization Islamic Relief Sweden (IRS) after an investigation revealed risks of connections to extremism.
Head of Montenegro’s schismatics meet with Phanar representative in Rome
A Finnish archbishop under the Phanar’s jurisdiction held a meeting with a representative of an uncanonical church structure from Montenegro.