Vlg. Serednia Derazhnia: OCU backed by the volunteers raids a UOC temple

Supporters of the OCU cutting the locks on the UOC temple in the village of Serednia Derazhnia. Photo: UOJ

On February 25, 2023, OCU supporters seized St. Michael's Church (Zhytomyr and Novohrad-Volynsky Eparchy) of the UOC in the village of Serednia Derazhnia, Zviagel district, report the UOC community members.

The faithful of the canonical Church say that the seizure was led by the village authorities, represented by the chairman of the village council, Andriy Borysovych Radulevych. The OCU adherents brought in volunteers and with their assistance cut the locks off the church.

"Activists illegally registered their church, ours is also in the register. People are in despair, the soul is crying and hurting," parishioners of St. Michael's Church said.

As reported, in the village of Blystavytsia of the Bucha territorial community, OCU supporters, who had earlier tried unsuccessfully to seize a UOC temple, staged an attempt to rob the church in order to gain access to its territory and enter the church together with the police.

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