In Kremenets, OCU stages a body rally against the dead soldier’s will
A rally in Kremenets using the body of a fallen Orthodox warrior. Photo: screenshot of the Pershy Kozatsky Telegram channel
In Kremenets, the Orthodox Church of Ukraine, against the will of a fallen warrior, organized a rally with his body on January 4, 2024. Despite the deceased soldier, Vasyl Stetsiuk, being a member of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, activists pressured and took his body to the city square for a protest, as reported by the "Pershy Kozatsky" Telegram channel.
According to the soldier's will, who was a parishioner of the Intercession Church of the UOC in the village of Kushlyn in the Kremenets district, he wished to be mourned in his native church. Vasyl explicitly stated that in case of his death, no public farewell should be arranged on the Independence Square in Kremenets, as such events often turned into political actions involving supporters of the OCU. However, local "activists", to whom the soldier's widow declared his last will, accused her of "pro-Russian views" and claimed she "had no right to decide" how to handle her husband's body.
Despite efforts by honor guards to intervene on behalf of the woman, the "activists" compelled the coffin with the deceased's body to be taken to Kremenets and placed on the square.
During the rally, a chaplain of the OCU, facing away from the deceased, stated that the "hero's body is not the property of the wife, mother, or family."
"Pershy Kozatsky" undrscores, "They are not satisfied with the warrior's sacrificed life. They are not satisfied with the wife losing her beloved husband. Even after death, they cannot leave a Ukrainian Orthodox in peace. They need to use his body for their propaganda, for their cult. And most importantly, it turns out the family is totally helpless about it! The family's will, the hero's will mean nothing!"
As previously reported by the UOJ, in the village of Kremenets in the Volyn region, local authorities prohibited a UOC priest from conducting funeral services without approval from the village council.
Read also
Seized Dormition Cathedral in Volodymyr transferred from UOC to OCU control
Huz stated that after being handed to the OCU, the Dormition Cathedral in Volodymyr will be “Ukrainian and alive”.
388 mln Christians face persecution and discrimination over faith – report
The organization Portes Ouvertes has published research findings concluding that pressure on believers worldwide has intensified.
Archbishop of Albania: Orthodoxy is a key pillar of Albania’s European path
During a visit to Brussels, the Primate of the Albanian Orthodox Church underscored the importance of Orthodoxy for the country’s integration into the EU and for maintaining interreligious balance in society.
His Beatitude leads divine service at Lavra on Circumcision of the Lord feast
During the festive service at the Kyiv Pechersk Lavra, special prayers were offered for peace on the Ukrainian land and for God’s blessing upon the new year.
Director of Orthodox school writes open letter to "investigator"
Anna Bolhova emphasized that God turns slander and lies directed against Christians into their victory.
In Austria, court recognizes Sharia norms in dispute between Muslims
The Vienna court's decision on the forced enforcement of religious arbitration has provoked a reaction from authorities and demands to legislatively exclude the application of Islamic norms.