UOC believers in Hilcha pray at their sealed church on patronal feast

Liturgy on the patronal feast at the closed temple of the UOC in the village of Hilcha. Photo: screenshot of the video on the Telegram channel “Rivne. Holos Tserkvy"

On May 22, 2023, on their patronal feast, the UOC community in honor of St. Nicholas of Myra in the village of Hilcha Persha, Rivne Region, prayed in front of their closed church. The video, filmed during the service, was published by the press service of the Rivne diocese.

The inscription on a paper seal on the doors of the church says that the temple was sealed by decision of the Zdolbuniv village council (Hilcha is part of the Zdolbuniv territorial community).

Earlier, the UOJ wrote that the St. Nicholas Church in Hilcha was sealed on April 19 after it had been seized by supporters of the OCU. The raider seizure was preceded by more than the ten-month defense of their shrine by the UOC believers.

Read also

UOC starts Easter charity drive to support children of displaced families

The UOC has launched a charity initiative: 2,000 Easter kulichi will be delivered to children from displaced families, to orphans and boarding-school pupils, and to families in front-line regions.

Volodymyr city authorities formalizing transfer of UOC chapel to OCU

During a briefing, the mayor of Volodymyr in Volyn Region reported on the progress of paperwork to transfer the UOC chapel dedicated to St Volodymyr into OCU ownership.

President’s Office head celebrates Purim with Jews

Kyrylo Budanov and his deputy, Iryna Mudra, visited Kyiv’s Jewish community.

OCU delegation hands gifts to Patriarch Bartholomew from Epifaniy Dumenko

An OCU delegation visited the residence of the head of the Patriarchate of Constantinople at the Phanar to congratulate Patriarch Bartholomew on his birthday and deliver gifts.

Middle Eastern Christians face growing threat amid Iran war, advocates warn

A Catholic rights organization says a fresh escalation could push the region’s Christian communities to the brink of disappearance.

German McDonald's removes food from adverts until sunset over Ramadan

In Germany, during the Muslim fast, a fast-food chain hides food images in advertising during the day and shows them only in the evening.