UOC rector in Strilchyntsi: After seizure, 200-year-old church stands empty
A church dome. Photo: transkarpatia.net
It hurts that the 200-year-old temple is empty, said the clergyman of the Tulchin Eparchy, Archpriest Pavel Petlevany, rector of the seized temple of the Prophet of God Elijah in the village of Strilchyntsi, Vinnitsa region, in a commentary to the UOJ.
The schismatics closed the old village church three years ago. According to the clergyman, since then the village has been divided, and now believers of the UOC and supporters of the OCU even go to different shops.
“We serve in the church yard near the temple. In summer, nightingales sing along with the choir, and in winter – a frosty wind. But the parish not only survived but also multiplied. Even the children of parishioners who came from Germany went with us on the Great Cross Procession in Kyiv,” he said.
The community continues to struggle for its church in the courts, it already has 16 court hearings and lots of papers behind, "but we hope for the rule of law".
“It hurts that the church with a 200-year history is empty,” added Fr. Pavel.
He explained that representatives of the OCU appear in the seized church extremely rarely: in 2019 – 5 times, in 2020 – never. This year there has been a visiting "priest", but he refused to "serve" because only three people came to him.
As reported, earlier the publicist named the reasons why the churches seized by the OCU will remain empty.
Read also
Serbian Church officially receives back land of 15th-century monastery
An agreement was signed in Belgrade transferring the territory of the ancient Vojlovica Monastery to the Banat Eparchy.
Pat Daniiel comments on conflict between Phanar bishop and community in Turkey
The Bulgarian Primate believes that the hierarch of the Constantinople Patriarchate should not have forced the Bulgarian community in Edirne to serve in Greek.
Patriarch Bartholomew congratulates Patriarch Shio on his election
In his message of congratulations, Patriarch Bartholomew called for joint witness before the world within the framework of “pan-Orthodox unity.”
Georgian priest in Germany: Patriarch Shio will preserve Ilia II’s legacy
Priest Elias Schlepegrell, who was present at the election in Tbilisi, said there is a clear disposition toward preserving Ilia II’s line and the unity of the Georgian Church.
Most Holy Theotokos Belt to arrive in UOC's Mukachevo Eparchy
From May 17 to June 1, 2026, the faithful of Zakarpattia will have the opportunity to venerate one of Christianity’s great holy relics.
Scholars unveil restored 13th-century icon from Rivne region
Researchers have completed the restoration of the Hodegetria icon and are preparing it for an exhibition in Lviv.