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
Pope warns clergy against writing AI-based sermons
The head of the Roman Catholic Church warned priests about the risks of using digital technologies in ministry.
UOC parishes abroad hold memorial services on war anniversary
Clergy and faithful of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church abroad prayed on the fourth anniversary of the beginning of the war in Ukraine.
Persecuted UOC parish in Tovtry performs reading of Great Penitential Canon
Another Bukovynian community, deprived of its church, continues Great Lent services in an adapted facility.
Officials conduct “inspection” at UOC’s Myltsi monastery
Officials inspected all buildings of the St. Nicholas Monastery in Volyn and carried out what they described as “architectural measurements.”
Metropolitan Theodosiy's preventive measure extended for another two months
The head of the Cherkasy Eparchy has had his preventive measure in the form of personal obligations extended in the case initiated by the SBU due to his public statements.
Primate of UOC reads Penitential Canon at Feofania
Metropolitan Onuphry led Great Compline with the final section of St. Andrew of Crete’s Great Penitential Canon at the St. Panteleimon Women’s Monastery.