UOC parish prays in AFU soldier’s private home after church raid in Lesnyky

The UOC congregation in Lesnyky prays in a private house. Photo: tg-channel "Dozor na 'Pershomu Kozatskomu'"

In Lesnyky, Kyiv Oblast, on January 14, 2024, the first liturgy took place after the forceful seizure of the Transfiguration Church of the UOC, as reported by the Telegram channel "Dozor na 'Pershomu Kozatskomu'" ("Patrol on the First Cossack"). Parishioners prayed in a private home provided by a soldier of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, who is also a member of the UOC. Two months ago, his brother, who lived in this house and was also a member of the religious community of the Transfiguration Church of the UOC, died on the front lines.

"Now their home has become a haven for Orthodox Christians whose shrine was seized by raiders from the OCU," journalists from the channel wrote.

As reported by the UOJ, on January 10, raiders from the OCU cut locks and seized the Transfiguration Church in Lesnyky, Kyiv Oblast, at night. Criminal proceedings were initiated against the actions of the supporters of the OCU.

Read also

Ivano-Frankivsk scraps school project planned on demolished UOC church site

The authorities in Ivano-Frankivsk have dropped plans to build the school for whose construction a UOC church was demolished.

Shostatsky to UOC: If you are so righteous – do not cling to your churches

The OCU metropolitan called on UOC faithful and clergy to pray rather than defend their churches from seizures.

Archbishop John: The Church is not a special group – it is open to everyone

The Primate of the Orthodox Church of Albania explained why the Church cannot shut itself off from people and what danger arises when believers begin to feel that it is “ours.”

Shostatsky: We have a real personnel shortage in the OCU

Metropolitan Simeon (Shostatsky) said that OCU clerics have to travel to as many as five parishes over a weekend so that believers are not left without services.

At the Zimne Monastery, an event was held in support of families of fallen soldiers

The Holy Dormition Monastery in Volhynia hosted an event to support mothers and loved ones of servicemen killed in the war.

Great schema tonsure performed in Mohyliv-Podilskyi Eparchy

The rite of tonsure into the great schema at St. Paraskeva Church in Mohyliv-Podilskyi was performed by the secretary of the Vinnytsia Eparchy.