Martsinkiv: Ivano-Frankivsk region becomes first without UOC

Ivano-Frankivsk Mayor Ruslan Martsinkiv. Photo: mvk.if.ua

The Ivano-Frankivsk region has become the first region in Ukraine to be "cleansed" from the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, the mayor of Ivano-Frankivsk, Ruslan Martsinkiv, wrote on Facebook.

According to him, the seizure of the last UOC temple in Ivano-Frankivsk caused resistance from the Church faithful. Martsinkiv said that the parishioners of the temple did not let the "clerics" of the OCU into the cathedral building and even allegedly sprayed gas.

It should be noted that social networks have already published footage showing exactly the radicals spraying gas inside the temple, after which they kick out the UOC clerics and believers.

"This was the last temple in the Ivano-Frankivsk region belonging to the UOC of the Moscow Patriarchate. We have walked a long way to this event and today set a good example for the whole country. <...> I wish all our independent state, for which our fellows shed blood, to be cleansed from the Moscow Patriarchate," he added.

As reported, radicals seized the UOC cathedral in Ivano-Frankivsk.

Read also

Italian media: Ukrainian authorities persecute the country’s largest confession

The Italian outlet L’Identità reported on mass searches, the arrests of clergy, and the ban on the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, which it describes as the largest Church in Ukraine.

Festival marking Orthodox Youth Day held in UOC's Volyn Eparchy

In Lutsk, the UOC’s annual youth forum brought together parish groups, clergy, and participants in a creative program for Orthodox Youth Day.

London mayor switches on festive Ramadan lights

In London, the Muslim mayor inaugurated Ramadan illuminations: a central street was decorated with a “Happy Ramadan” sign and Islamic-style ornaments.

DESS: Ramadan is a time of special closeness to the Almighty

DESS congratulated Ukraine’s Muslims on the beginning of Ramadan.

Jehovah’s witness pastor sentenced in Lviv region for refusing TRC service

A court in Lviv region sentenced a Jehovah’s Witness pastor to five years in prison for unauthorized absence from his unit and for refusing to serve as a TRC cook.

Orthodox Church in America raises $700,000 for Ukrainians in Poland

An OCA representative met with Metropolitan Sava and discussed humanitarian support for Ukrainian refugees in Poland.