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
Congresswoman to Ukrainian ambassador: Imprisoning Christians is never good
Anna Paulina Luna wrote to Stefanishyna that justifying the actions of the Ukrainian authorities against the UOC is not good.
Lavra abbot concelebrates with His Beatitude in Boryspil after long break
On the Sunday after the Nativity of Christ, Metropolitan Pavel concelebrated with the Primate of the UOC at the Boryspil Cathedral.
The Patriarch of Bulgaria revealed that the issue of the OCU was discussed in Istanbul
According to the head of the BPC, during the visit to the Ecumenical Patriarchate, the Ukrainian issue was considered with respect for the position of the Bulgarian Church.
Shevchuk to Cherkasy officials: UGCC is on the information war front lines
The head of the UGCC told officials in Cherkasy region that the church has become an important participant in the information war.
Ukraine’s ambassador to U.S. tells congresswoman why authorities target UOC
According to Stefanishyna, the UOC speaks about persecution because it is “linked to Moscow”.
Christmas procession visits UOC churches in Kamianske
A procession with revered shrines is taking place in the city, before which prayers are offered for peace and for the people of Kamianske.