In Rzhavintsy, Bukovyna, OCU activists together with police raid UOC temple
Raiders breaking the door of the UOC temple in the village of Rzhavintsy. Photo: a video screenshot from the Facebook page of the Chernivtsi-Bukovyna Eparchy
On 20 December 2023, in the village of Rzhavintsy, Chernivtsi region, OCU supporters seized the Holy Trinity Church of the UOC, reports the press service of the Chernivtsi-Bukovyna Eparchy of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church.
Raiders backed by police officers with the help of a crowbar and an angle grinder broke the door of the temple and got inside.
The seizure of the shrine was personally led by the chairman of the Yurkovtsy Village Council Vitaliy Shafer (Rzhavintsy belongs to the Yurkovetsky UTC).
"This is how a ‘voluntary’ transfer to the OCU looks like when the police fence off the temple parishioners and the raiders break down the door. What god do they pray to after that?" the press service commented on the video of the temple seizure, published on the eparchy's Facebook page.
On 24 November 2023, activists and "priests" of the OCU held a meeting of their supporters in the village House of Culture, where they voted for the "transition" of the Trinity parish of the UOC to the Epifaniy Dumenko structure.
As reported, on 18 December 2023, OCU raiders seized the UOC's Peter and Paul Church in the town of Bucha, Kyiv region.
Read also
Archbishop of Albania supports country's accession to European Union
The Primate of the Albanian Church believes that Albania's accession to the European Union will benefit not only the country and its citizens but also Europe itself.
Cyprus Church Synod permits weddings during Nativity Fast
The Sacrament of Marriage is permitted to be performed from the beginning of the Nativity Fast until December 12.
Cherkasy authorities set up surveillance over Orthodox educational institution
The village of Cherniavka became the site of a special operation by law enforcement against an Orthodox gymnasium, where a hidden surveillance camera was installed on a pole.
Metropolitan Tychikos case to be again considered by Cyprus Church Synod
Holy Archdiocese of Cyprus stated that the appeal filed by Metropolitan Tychikos to the Supreme Court could fundamentally change the assessment of the situation.
His Beatitude: The Lord gives people strength to overcome sin
The Primate emphasized that in the New Testament, Christians receive the gracious power of the Holy Spirit to fight against sin.
Met. Varsonofiy сelebrates Liturgy at persecuted UOC parish in Stryzhavka
A UOC hierarch officiated the Nativity service and offered prayers for peace in Ukraine.