OCU raiders attempt to seize UOC church in Malyi Kuchuriv, Bukovyna
OCU raiders on the grounds of the St. Nicholas Church of the UOC in the village of Malyi Kuchuriv, Chernivtsi Region. Photo: screenshot from a video posted by the Dozor Telegram channel
On January 5, 2024, OCU raiders armed with crowbars and angle grinders attempted to seize the St. Nicholas Church of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church in the village of Malyi Kuchuriv, Chernivtsi Region. Footage of the attempted takeover was published by the Dozor Telegram channel.
Journalists reported that the balaclava-clad raiders had already forced open the gates of the church fence with a crowbar and cordoned off the church grounds.
The footage shows an unidentified man breaking down the doors of the church and letting several dozen people inside.
It is also known that on December 25, 2023, supporters of the OCU collected money from local residents to pay for the services of the break-in crew.
A meeting on the “transfer” of the church’s religious community was held by activists back on July 10, 2023.
Earlier, the UOJ reported that in Ladyzhyn, raiders wearing military style uniforms attempted to seize the Kazan Church of the UOC.
Read also
Metropolitan Tychikos’ lawyers respond to media accusations
The hierarch’s legal team has described the television reports as a deliberate smear campaign.
Facts of persecution against UOC included in world's human rights report
The Amnesty International report points to pressure on the Ukrainian Orthodox Church and criticism from UN experts.
Pasika activist urges believers to join Uniates if they don't want to go to OCU
Choknadiy called on UOC believers to join the Greek Catholic Church, since they refuse to join the OCU.
OCU “priest” urges SBU to punish local community head for backing UOC faithful
Volodymyr Pedko was outraged that a fallen serviceman was buried by a cleric of the canonical Church and promised to “sort things out” with the local authorities after the holidays.
Israel Defense Forces punish soldier who smashed Jesus Christ statue in Lebanon
An IDF soldier was sentenced to 30 days in the guardhouse for vandalism in the Christian village of Debell.
Icons painted on ammunition boxes displayed at St Sophia's Cathedral of Kyiv
The capital's reserve has honored the memory of fallen fighters of the State Special Transport Service through an "art project".