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.
Read also
UOC Social Department donates gaming consoles to children’s hospitals in Kyiv
The UOC Social Department delivered PlayStation 5 sets to seven pediatric hospitals in Kyiv, with a total value of 483,453 hryvnias.
Authorities seize icons and reliquary from Krupytskyi Monastery nuns
After the takeover of the UOC’s Krupytskyi Monastery, officials are preventing the sisters from recovering a reliquary and an icon of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker.
Mukachevo Eparchy priest receives commendations from AFU
Archpriest Vasyl Lomaha was presented with commendations from the Armed Forces of Ukraine and the “Berehove Union of Mothers and Wives of ATO Participants.”
Court ruling bars Metropolis of Moldova faithful from entering a church
After a decision by the Supreme Court of Justice, police blocked Orthodox Church of Moldova faithful from accessing the church in the village of Dereneu.
Persecuted UOC community responds to OCU over claims of “discrediting Ukraine”
UOC parishioners say they have the right to appeal to international bodies when their rights are violated.
Greek Media: The Church of Cyprus faces a crisis of synodality
Greek media report an institutional conflict and a weakening of synodal governance in Cyprus.