In Harkusyntsi, OCU supporters take away church from UOC community
The community of St Barbara’s Church of the UOC in the village of Harkushyntsi. Photo: a video screenshot of the TCM YouTube channel
In the village of Harkushyntsi of the Myrhorod territorial community, Poltava region, OCU activists are attempting to take over St Barbara’s Church from the believers of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, report suspilne.media and argumentua.com.
The activists from Dumenkove are using a raider scheme used in many communities across Ukraine: on August 20, 2023, the OCU "clergy" held a meeting with villagers at a school, where the territorial community members voted to transfer St Barbara’s parish to the structure of the OCU.
During the event, the local "dean" of the OCU, Pavel Yakimenko, claimed that his organization "prays for Ukrainian soldiers and is on Ukraine's side, while the 'Moscow Patriarchate' is not on Ukraine's side and denies that Russia has waged war against Ukraine."
St Barbara’s Church community did not participate in this assembly. The day before, parishioners led by their rector, Protodeacon Serhiy Zuyev, recorded a video message affirming their faithfulness to the UOC.
"At our church, a general assembly of the Barbara parish was held, and a unanimous decision was made that we remain under the jurisdiction of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church and have no intention of joining the OCU or any other organization," stressed the rector.
The participants of the meeting in the club ignored the expressed will of the believers. After casting their votes, they went to the church, where members of the UOC community locked themselves inside and attempted to enter forcibly. Later, the parishioners opened the door at the insistence of the police. OCU activists entered the church, documented the property, and created a record of its transfer.
Furthermore, Dumenko's followers submitted documents to the Poltava Regional Military Administration for the re-registration of the parish.
The clergy of the OCU announced that they plan to conduct their first "worship service" at St. Barbara’s Church on August 27.
As reported, activists of the OCU in Cherkasy registered an alternative religious community in order to transfer the Church of St. Sophronius of Irkutsk under their jurisdiction.
Read also
Major U.S. hospital network refuses to implement new assisted suicide law
Advocate Health Care said it would not participate in Illinois’ assisted suicide program.
OCU activists call TRC to service of persecuted UOC community in Kremenchuk
After seizing the Holy Trinity Church in Kremenchuk, Dumenko's followers attempted to disrupt the worship service of UOC believers held in the open air.
Bila Tserkva authorities attempting to seize monastery building from UOC
The Bila Tserkva City Council is attempting to reclaim the buildings of the St. Mary Magdalene Convent for communal ownership through the courts.
Egyptian police arrest Christians targeted in Muslim attacks
Copts were released once they withdrew their complaints against their assailants.
Primate of Macedonian Church congratulates Lavra's abbot on name day
Archbishop Stefan noted the zeal of the Lavra's abbot, who shares the sorrows of his flock.
Persecuted community in Stari Broskivtsi marks patronal feast in new church
The rector thanked the faithful for building a new church to replace the one that was seized.