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.

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