UOC believers in Neteshyn prevent OCU raiders from seizing their temple

Believers in Neteshyn confirmed their faithfulness to the UOC. Photo: news.church.ua

On June 17, 2023, the UOC believers in Neteshyn, Khmelnytskyi region, defended the Cathedral of the Icon of the Mother of God “Unburnt Bush” ("Neopalimaya Kupina") from seizure, reports news.church.ua.

On this day, raiders of the OCU came to the cathedral and demanded that the clergy and parishioners of the temple leave the UOC.

"In order to protect their shrine from seizure, Orthodox believers came to the cathedral and, after praying, went out to the group of provocateurs. Having listened to the demands of the supporters of the OCU, the rector of the cathedral, Archpriest Viktor Tyshkun, gave exhaustive answers to all provocative questions of persons not belonging to the religious community of the temple who tried to decide its jurisdictional affiliation," the report said.

Seeing that the cathedral's parishioners affirmed their faithfulness to the UOC led by His Beatitude Metropolitan Onuphry, the group of activists left the territory of the temple.

"The position that we declared today to remain in the UOC is protected by the Constitution of Ukraine, the provisions of which should be adhered to by all citizens," commented the cleric of the cathedral, Archpriest Vasyl Shafar.

The rector and clergy of the cathedral expressed their sincere gratitude to all members of the religious community of the temple for the protection of the Orthodox faith and legitimate rights to stay in the UOC and to the law enforcement agencies of the city of Neteshyn for ensuring law and order during these events.

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