"Thank God for all": persecuted UOC community in Dilove prays on the street

Many believers of the UOC gathered for the open-air liturgy in Dilove. Photo: a screenshot from Facebook

On February 12, on the feast day of three saints Basil the Great, Gregory the Theologian and John Chrysostom, the persecuted Holy Dormition community of the UOC in the village of Dilove of the Rakhiv district, Transcarpathian region, prayed at an open-air service.

The liturgy near a small chapel in the village of Dilove, Transcarpathian region, was broadcast on Facebook.

Addressing those present, the priest reminded of the spiritual feat and standing in the faith of the great saints, who also defended the only truth and thanked the Lord for their trials.

“Years and decades will pass, and I believe that you will be remembered as people who stood for the truth. Now there is a lot of snow, cold, and we thank God for everything. Today our Vladyka Mark (of Khust and Vynogradiv - Ed.) is praying for us, and at the first opportunity he will also be here, with us, at this chapel,” said the priest of the Khust diocese of the UOC.

As reported, a week ago the activists of the OCU, with the assistance of the authorities, received at their disposal the temple of the Holy Dormition community of the UOC in vlg. Dilove. The re-registration of the UOC community in favour of a new church structure is being considered in court, but one of the court decisions, providing access to the temple for the OCU, came into force.

Also, the local deanery of the UOC reported that there are few supporters of the OCU in the Transcarpathian village, while the community of the canonical Church is numerous. The rector of the church, Fr. John is temporarily relieved of his duties; one of the monks of the local monastery is currently serving with the Holy Dormition community.

As previously reported, in the village of Dilove, the police blocked the entrance to the church for UOC believers.

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