Yelensky: More than 80 UOC communities "transferred" to OCU in April
Viktor Yelensky, the DESS head. Photo: dess.gov
The head of the State Service for Ethnopolitics and Freedom of Conscience Viktor Yelensky said at a briefing that in April more than 80 religious communities from all over Ukraine "transferred" from the UOC to the OCU, reports Ukrinform.
According to Yelensky, the process of transition of communities "is happening very dynamically".
He also noted that in May more than 50 UOC communities allegedly informed the state of their desire to "join" the OCU.
"In April, more than 80 communities transferred to the Orthodox Church of Ukraine from the Moscow Patriarchate. At least that much was reported about meetings where believers decided to change their subordination," he said.
Read also
OCU activist admits breaking into UOC church in Sloviansk
Oleksandr Onyshchenko said that the OCU held its first "service" at the Seraphim Church, which had previously been broken into by forcing the locks and doors.
Archimandrite Ioustinos, longtime keeper of Jacob's Well, dies in Jordan
Archimandrite Ioustinos (Mamallos), the keeper of Jacob's Well in Nablus, has died after a prolonged illness.
Pilgrim group from Kyiv Theological Seminary visits Mount Athos
KTS students are making a pilgrimage to the holy sites of Romania, Greece, Mount Athos and Italy.
UOC cathedral celebrates its patronal feast in Ternopil
The service in the cathedral of the Holy Martyrs Faith, Hope, Love and their mother Sophia was led by Metropolitan Serhii of Ternopil, concelebrated by four hierarchs.
MinCulture marks centenary of Soviet-era reserve at Lavra's Refectory Church
Representatives of the Ministry of Culture presented awards to the Reserve's employees on the occasion of the anniversary at the Refectory Church of the Lavra.
Conference to mark 1700th anniversary of Christianity adoption held in Georgia
In Georgia, representatives of the Church and the state noted the defining role of Christianity in the country's cultural development.