In Kirovohrad village of Korobchyne, UOC parish church house set on fire

In the village of Korobchyne, a prayer house of the UOC community was set on fire. April 27, 2024 Photo: Kirovohrad Diocese

On the night of April 27, 2024, before Lazarus Saturday and Palm Sunday, unknown individuals set fire to the house where the UOC community prayed after the seizure of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary church in the village of Korobchyne, Kirovohrad region, as reported on the Facebook page of the Kirovohrad Eparchy.

As a result of the arson, the walls, the temporary communion table, and sacrificial altar in the prayer house were burned down.

The church was forcibly taken over by raiders two years ago. The parishioners, expelled from their native church, were forced to find a new place for prayer.

"The temporary refuge of the persecuted community became a rural house, repurposed by the efforts of believers for conducting services. But someone decided that even in such limited conditions, Orthodox believers do not have the right to pray. This is how someone congratulated Orthodox Christians in the village of Korobchyne on Easter!" the message said.

The eparchy asks for prayers for the persecuted followers of Christ the Savior – the Orthodox community of Korobchyne village.

"We also pray for the enlightenment of those who believe that they do not fear God and can fight against Him by any means," the press service wrote.

As reported by the UOJ, the UOC community in Korobchyne was transferred to the OCU in October 2022, despite protests from believers. In June, the faithful of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church appealed to the regional military administration not to intervene in the situation, confirming their loyalty to the UOC. However, the regional military administration did not heed the believers and "handed over" the church to the OCU.

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