In Vaslovivtsi, visiting titushki in balaclavas seize UOC church
Church raiders in Vaslovivtsi. Photo: Telegram channel of the Chernivtsi Eparchy
On 19 October 2023, two dozen unknown people in camouflage and balaclavas with the support of the police seized the Dormition Church of the UOC in the village of Vaslovivtsi, Chernivtsi region, reports the Telegram channel of the Chernivtsi-Bukovyna Eparchy.
"Titushki" (men of strong build) cut the locks off the doors of the temple, formed a chain and took control of the building, not allowing the faithful to the shrine.
The eparchy published a photo of the bus that brought the bandits, with the number CE 8842 VK, and indicated that the same bus brought the militants to seize the temple in the village of Staray Zhadova. It is not yet known whether the same persons took over the temples in both villages.
The eparchy reported that the authorities brought TCC to the village to hand out summonses to the temple defenders. In particular, they tried to hand a summons to the rector.
Parishioners in Vaslavivtsi defended their temple from bandits for 1,725 days and say they do not intend to retreat. "This is our faith – we have nowhere to retreat to. Those 20 bandits will work off their money and leave, while we have to live in the village, baptise and wed our children. How can we live without a temple?" say members of the community.
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.