Head of the Lviv RSA comments on the conflict around UOC in Zolochiv
Head of the Lviv RSA Maxim Kozitsky. Photo: a video screenshot from the YouTube NTA TV channel
On July 21, 2020, during a reporting press conference on the results of the work of the Lviv Regional State Administration for June, the Governor of the Lviv Region Maxim Kozitsky answered a question from journalists regarding “the possible construction of a church of the Moscow Patriarchate in Zolochiv”. The press conference was broadcast by the NTA TV channel.
“Do you have this situation under control? Who is building there and what? " the journalist asked the official.
In response to this question, Kozitsky stressed that the task of the regional state administration is to monitor the observance of laws in the region.
“Our task as an administration is to monitor the implementation of laws on the territory of the Lviv region. I’ve raised this issue in terms of the legality of the construction. At the moment, there are no work permits,” he said.
On July 8, 2020, clerics of the UGCC and public activists of Zolochiv protested against the construction of a UOC temple in the town. In fact, in Zolochiv no church construction is underway, as the secretary of the Lviv Eparchy of the UOC, Archpriest Alexander Ivanchenko, reported to the UOJ. He said that the conflict began after the clergyman of the eparchy, Priest Maxim Yoenko, with his family bought a house in the town and held a service in its territory at the request of believers.
Later, near the courtyard of the priest, a "veche" was held, to which the mayor of Zolochiv, Igor Grynkiv, brought a sledgehammer. "Veche" participants voiced the idea to reimburse Priest Maxim for the funds he spent on buying a house and repairing work so that he would leave the town.
Following the events, Metropolitan Filaret (Kucherov) of Lviv and Galicia called on the head of the Lviv Regional State Administration to ensure the observance of the rights of UOC believers in Zolochiv.
Read also
"Stigmatization based on faith": DESS reprimands TSN for story about Muslims
DESS criticized TSN because "the investigation in the "1+1" news story immediately took on an accusatory bias, and the accused themselves were not given a voice."
His Beatitude Onuphry: Through fasting, man returns to Paradise
On Forgiveness Sunday, His Beatitude Metropolitan Onuphry reminded the faithful about Adam's fall and urged them to repent before Great Lent.
Archbishop of Greece speaks about his successor and the Church's future
On the occasion of the 18th anniversary of his leadership of the Greek Church, the Primate gave an interview in which he spoke about relations with the state, the situation in Sinai, and the challenges of the modern world.
In Barcelona, Sagrada Familia’s central tower completed after 144 years
In Barcelona, a glass cross was installed on the Sagrada Familia temple, completing the central tower and bringing the building to the height of 172.5 meters.
On Forgiveness Sunday, His Beatitude Onuphry celebrates Liturgy at Lavra
During Cheesefare Week, His Beatitude Metropolitan Onuphry celebrated the Liturgy at the Kiev-Pechersk Lavra, addressed the flock with a sermon, and offered prayers for peace and the preservation of Ukraine's people.
In Hnidyn, St. Nicholas Church of UOC damaged by shelling
As a result of shelling, the St. Nicholas Church of the UOC in the village of Hnidyn of the Boryspil Eparchy was damaged.