OCU supporters seize UOC church in Rynhach
The community of the Holy Ascension church in the village of Rynhach. Photo: vitrazhiofficial
On May 20, 2023, an armed group of OCU representatives seized the Holy Ascension church of the UOC in the village of Rynhach, Chernivtsi Region.
The Telegram channel of the press service of the Chernivtsi–Bukovyna Eparchy reported that at around 9 a.m. a “storm brigade” of OCU supporters arrived in Rynhach, broke the church fence, and, after smashing windows, seized the Holy Ascension church.
The “storm brigade” was opposed by three people who that morning were mowing the grass, cleaning the grounds, and preparing for the parish feast day.
“These are the priest Fr. Serafim, a parishioner, and a woman – the church warden. The confrontation did not last long. Adherents of the god of violence, using fists, rebar, and an angle grinder, quickly gained the upper hand. There has still been no contact with Fr. Serafim,” the eparchy press service wrote.
Earlier, the UOJ reported that in the Chernivtsi Eparchy, armed OCU representatives beat a UOC priest.
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