In Lenkivtsi, UOC community resumes services after expulsion of raiders

UOC believers in the village of Lenkivtsi on their knees asking the Mother of God to protect their shrine. Photo: a video screenshot of the Chernivtsi-Bukovyna Eparchy (UOC) FB page

After the failed attempt of OCU raiders to seize Sts Peter and Paul’s Church of the UOC in the village of Lenkivtsi, Chernivtsi region, the church community has resumed regular services in the shrine, reports the rector Archpriest Mykola Rus.

He said that on 8 February 2024, when OCU activists and militants from the Tiger security firm broke into the church, more than 300 believers came out to defend the church. The invaders – about 30 strong-built men, 5 OCU chaplains and several local "activists" – lurked in the temple. Almost at midnight, under the cover of the police, they blocked the church doors (from which the locks were cut during the storming) with chains, carabiners and padlocks and left the church territory.

The parishioners dismantled the barrier and entered the church. In the narthex, they found the remains of food, an angle grinder, and two Ukrainian flags crumpled and smeared with dirt. There were also several flags on sticks, with which the stormers had beaten the worshippers during the seizure. There was a smell of tobacco smoke and cigarette butts in the temple. At the same time, the raiders, having damaged the generator located in the room, spilt a lot of petrol on the floor.

"When we entered the church, people fell on their knees, and we sang 'My Gracious Queen'," says Fr Mykola.

The parishioners cleaned the church and installed new locks on the doors. The priest read a prayer against the desecration of the temple, and the community resumed worship life. At the same time, police continue to be on duty near the temple.

"We are serving," Fr Nicholas noted. “Yesterday we served. Tomorrow there will be a water-blessing service, vespers, at Candlemas – a liturgy, blessing of water and candles. Church life continues."

As reported, during the attempted seizure of Sts Peter and Paul’s Church of the UOC in Lenkivtsi, employees of the security firm "Tiger" under the leadership of "priests" of the OCU brutally beat the parishioners.

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