Raiders seize St. George's Church of UOC in Khmelnytsky
St. George's Church in Khmelnytsky. Photo: Telegram channel of the Khmelnytsky diocese of the UOC
On April 10, 2023, in the city of Khmelnytsky, supporters of the OCU seized the St. George Church of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church and the nearby Spiritual Center. This was reported by the press service of the Khmelnytsky diocese of the UOC.
Around 4 p.m., a group of raiders, dressed mainly in sportswear, entered the temple grounds. Unable to cope with the central door of the church, the assaulters broke open the side door and entered through the sacristan’s section and the altar.
After that, the invaders, led by the deputy of the regional council Yuri Smal and the deputy of the city council Vitaly Pidhaychuk, held a meeting at which they voted for the transfer of the temple to the OCU.
The press service of the diocese notes that the meeting was attended by people who had nothing to do with the St. George community of the UOC, and all of them were pre-registered to vote. At the same time, the parishioners of the church who came to the planned assembly were not even allowed into the temple territory.
The clergy and believers of the UOC appealed to law enforcement agencies.
As the UOJ reported, on April 4, 2023, the Khmelnytsky Regional Council decided to ban the activities of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church in the region, while the City Council took away all land plots from the UOC, including the one on which the St. George Church stands.
Read also
Major U.S. hospital network refuses to implement new assisted suicide law
Advocate Health Care said it would not participate in Illinois’ assisted suicide program.
OCU activists call TRC to service of persecuted UOC community in Kremenchuk
After seizing the Holy Trinity Church in Kremenchuk, Dumenko's followers attempted to disrupt the worship service of UOC believers held in the open air.
Bila Tserkva authorities attempting to seize monastery building from UOC
The Bila Tserkva City Council is attempting to reclaim the buildings of the St. Mary Magdalene Convent for communal ownership through the courts.
Egyptian police arrest Christians targeted in Muslim attacks
Copts were released once they withdrew their complaints against their assailants.
Primate of Macedonian Church congratulates Lavra's abbot on name day
Archbishop Stefan noted the zeal of the Lavra's abbot, who shares the sorrows of his flock.
Persecuted community in Stari Broskivtsi marks patronal feast in new church
The rector thanked the faithful for building a new church to replace the one that was seized.