Ivano-Frankivsk mayor awarded by Dumenko in the cathedral seized from UOC
"Hierarch" of the OCU awards the mayor of Ivano-Frankivsk Ruslan Martsynkiv. Photo: page R. Martsynkiv in Facebook
The medal, titled "For Sacrifice and Love for Ukraine," was awarded to the Ivano-Frankivsk mayor Martsynkiv for his active involvement in the closure of the remaining Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC) temples in the city. The ceremony took place at the Cathedral of the Nativity of Christ, which was forcefully taken over from the UOC community on March 28, 2023.
"On the third day of the Easter holidays had the opportunity to pray in the garrison church of the Nativity of Christ of the OCU," said the mayor on his Facebook page. "Here for the first time there was an archdiocesan liturgy with the participation of bishops of the OCU because not so long ago there were representatives of the UOC-MP. We are glad that there is no more Moscow in our shrines".
As the UOJ previously reported, Martsynkiv had hailed the takeover of the sanctuary as a "historic event", reporting that the Ivano-Frankivsk region was the first in Ukraine to be "completely cleansed" of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church.
Read also
Kosovo to enact law restricting Serbian Church, experts say
Analysts warn that the new "Law on Foreigners" in Kosovo could restrict the presence of clergy, believers' access to shrines, and increase pressure on the Serbian community.
Congress Speaker: Demand to introduce Sharia law in USA is a serious problem
The Speaker of the House of Representatives stated that there is growing concern in society about attempts to impose Islamic law, which is incompatible with the American Constitution.
UK government introduces restrictions on "anti-Muslim hostility"
UK authorities have adopted a new definition of "Islamophobia" which, according to experts, could provide Muslims with special protection and restrict freedom of speech.
Dumenko brings icon in Church Slavonic to Ministry of Health
Epifaniy presented cardiologists with an Intercession icon, with inscriptions in Church Slavonic, which his structure calls a "sign of the Moscow tradition".
ISIS supporters carries out terrorist attack at anti-Islamic protest in NY
Near the home of New York's Muslim mayor, radicals threw two makeshift bombs at protesters during an anti-Islamic rally.
Hryshchuk: If UOC hands over its church itself, angle grinders aren't needed
An OCU chaplain called on UOC believers to accept the loss of the shrine for the sake of their own "enlightenment".