In Raikivtsi, vandals smear red paint on the walls of the UOC temple
The UOC temple in Raikivtsi after the actions of vandals. Photo: Telegram channel of the Khmelnytskyi Eparchy of the UOC
Vandals committed an act of vandalism against the UOC church dedicated to the icon of the Mother of God "Support to the Humble" in the village of Raikivtsi, Khmelnytskyi region. The incident occurred on October 5, 2023. Unknown individuals vandalized the church by painting its walls with red paint and leaving the inscription "MP" (Moscow Patriarchate) on the asphalt nearby. This information is reported by the press service of the Khmelnytskyi Eparchy of the UOC.
The announcement emphasizes that the perpetrators committed criminal offenses under three articles of the Criminal Code: Article 161 (inciting religious enmity), Article 194 (property damage), and Article 296 (hooliganism) of the Criminal Code of Ukraine. The UOC community has filed a relevant statement with the police.
"The Khmelnytskyi Eparchy of the UOC reminds about the special attention of international human rights institutions, including the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, regarding actions directed against the Ukrainian Orthodox Church," the press service emphasizes. "Therefore, all cases of violations of the rights of UOC believers will be transmitted and considered within the framework of the international legal system for the protection of human rights."
As previously reported , the UOC church dedicated to the icon of the Mother of God "Support to the Humble" in Raikivtsi was consecrated on August 6, 2023, by Archbishop Victor of Khmelnytskyi and Starokostiantyniv. This village is the ancestral home of the former Metropolitan of Vinnytsia and Bar, Simeon Shostatsky, the only ruling hierarch of the UOC who switched to the OCU (Orthodox Church of Ukraine).
Read also
Priests and laity of Rivne Eparchy donate blood for children with cancer
In Rivne, the UOC clergy and laity have donated blood for children undergoing treatment for cancer.
Kyiv seminary students meet with People’s Artist Larisa Kadochnikova
Students of Kyiv’s theological schools spoke with the legend of Ukrainian cinema, who shared her memories of filming "Shadows of Forgotten Ancestors".
Bancheny Monastery reports provocation
The UOC monastery in Bancheny has reported a provocation by unidentified individuals.
Romanian Church to hold joint prayer for peace in Ukraine
On the fourth anniversary of the beginning of the war in Ukraine, special prayers for an end to the hostility will be offered in all churches of the Romanian Patriarchate, both in the country and abroad.
Armenian bishops call on authorities to stop Church persecution
At a meeting in Austria, hierarchs of the Armenian Apostolic Church reaffirmed their faithfulness to Catholicos Karekin II of All Armenians and called on the authorities to stop the persecution of the clergy.
Italian media: Ukrainian authorities persecute the country’s largest confession
The Italian outlet L’Identità reported on mass searches, the arrests of clergy, and the ban on the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, which it describes as the largest Church in Ukraine.