Dumenko awards all those involved in UOC cathedral raiding in Bila Tserkva

Dumenko awards Hopainych for 'selfless work for the benefit of the Church'. Photo: Zoria’s Facebook

According to a Facebook post by the spokesperson of the OCU, "Archbishop" Eustratiy Zoria, it is reported that Dumenko led a "church service" at the raided Cathedral and granted the organizer of the cathedral seizure, an OCU "priest" and city council deputy, Nikolay Hopainych, the right to wear the mitre. Dumenko praised Hopaynich's activities as "selfless work for the benefit of the church".

Serhiy Petrovych also awarded the "Order of Yuri the Victorious" to the mayor of Bila Tserkva, Hennadiy Dykyi, and the "Order of Saint Vladimir" to the city council secretary, Dmytro Kyryshun. Other individuals involved were awarded "blessed diplomas" by Dumenko.

It is worth reminding that apart from organizing the seizure of the Transfiguration Cathedral (UOC), Hopainych gained notoriety for removing a cup from the Chalice with his fingers.

As earlier reported, Hopainych and other clerics, with the support of local authorities, forcibly entered and seized the cathedral using tools like hammers, crowbars, angle grinders, and chainsaws.

Read also

Church celebrates feast of Holy Foremost Apostles Peter and Paul

On July 12, the Feast of the Apostles Peter and Paul, the Apostles' Fast (Peter's Fast) comes to an end for Orthodox Christians.

UGCC cleric criticizes OCU head for awarding Greek Catholic officials

Hieromonk Yustyn Boiko of the Lviv Archeparchy called the awarding of church honors to officials a profanation and cited the example of an OCU order presented to a Greek Catholic official.

Expert who found no defamation in Dumenko’s remarks to face disciplinary action

An Interior Ministry research center has confirmed disciplinary measures against the expert whose findings supported what the Metropolitan’s representatives described as unfounded accusations by the OCU head against Metropolitan Theodosiy.

European Parliament condemns forced Islamization of children in Pakistan

The European Parliament has called on Pakistan to establish a mechanism to protect Christian families.

Church of the Presentation damaged by shelling in Russia’s Kursk Region

The newly built church in the village of Kulbaki, Glushkovo District, was completely gutted by fire after being struck by a projectile.

UOC priests take part in celebrations at Romania’s Putna Monastery

Clergy of the Chernivtsi-Bukovyna Eparchy took part in a festive service at the ancient shrine of the Romanian Orthodox Church.