Metropolitan Clement visits UOC community driven from the church in Nosivka
Metropolitan Clement (Vecheria) performed a divine service for the Nosivka community of the UOC. Photo: orthodox.cn.ua
On October 25, 2023, Metropolitan Clement (Vecheria), the ruling bishop of the Nizhyn Eparchy of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC), visited the Trinity community of the UOC in the city of Nosivka on the occasion of the Jerusalem Icon of the Mother of God feast. The church of the UOC community had been seized by supporters of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine (OCU). This was reported by the press service of the Nizhyn Eparchy of the UOC.
The hierarch officiated the Divine Liturgy in the house of a female parishioner, which previously belonged to the well-known priest, the late Archpriest Hryhoriy Pylypenko, persecuted by the atheist authorities throughout his priesthood.
The venue could not accommodate the more than a hundred believers who came to the Liturgy.
Metropolitan Clement was concelebrated by the secretary of the eparchial administration, Archpriest Valeriy Dashko, the dean of the Nosivka church district, Archpriest Mykhaillo Hulyk, and other priests of the deanery.
During the service, a special prayer was offered for peace in Ukraine.
After the Liturgy, the archbishop led a moleben before the Jerusalem Icon of the Mother of God. During his sermon, the bishop shared the story of this icon and thanked the parishioners for their steadfastness in preserving the purity of the Orthodox faith and their loyalty to the canonical Church. Each participant received an icon as a memento of this occasion.
As previously reported by the UOJ, on October 2, 2023, at around midnight, individuals in camouflage, led by clergy of the OCU and with the support of the police, broke into the Holy Trinity Church of the UOC in Nosivka and seized it. Following this, Orthodox Christians have been praying outside the gates of their shrine. The OCU raiders have repeatedly attacked the worshipers and caused them injuries.
After the seizure of the Holy Trinity Church, OCU activists have been inviting people to their "services" through online announcements.
Read also
WHO urges securing equal access to IVF for same-sex couples
WHO’s new recommendations substantially broaden the concept of infertility and open the door to widespread use of assisted reproduction, including for same-sex couples and transgender individuals.
In Kniazhychi, brotherhood defends their monastery from seizure
Parishioners and the brotherhood of the UOC Transfiguration Monastery in Kniazhychi succeeded in defending their sacred site from the attempts of security forces and raiders.
UOC Primate congratulates Met. Arseniy on 20 years of episcopal ordination
The Primate of the UOC sent greetings to Metropolitan Arseniy on the anniversary of his personal Pentecost.
UGCC urges faithful to be ready to lay down their lives for Ukraine
The UGCC hierarchs have published a letter to the faithful urging them to cleanse the country of Soviet methods of governance, military organization, and economic management.
Condition of Metropolitan Theodosiy shows first signs of recovery
For the first time since his hospitalization, the health indicators of Metropolitan Theodosiy of Cherkasy have begun to improve.
Court to choose preventive measure for Met. Arseniy in Dnipro on December 5
The prosecutor demands that the detention of the UOC hierarch be extended.