In Volyn, UOC priests not allowed to hold last rites over soldier in church
A funeral of a serviceman. Photo: the Volodymyr-Volyn Eparchy
On 25 August 2024, in the village of Voloshky of the Kovel district, Volyn region, the funeral of the deceased soldier Bohdan Honchar was held. The priests of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church had to perform last rites over the soldier in the churchyard of the closed St. Nicholas Church, as they were not allowed inside the temple, reports the press service of the Volodymyr-Volyn Eparchy.
Junior sergeant Bohdan Honchar, a sergeant major of a paratrooper assault platoon, who turned 35 in July, gave his life for Ukraine on 19 August near the village of Sheptukhovka in Russia's Kursk region during a combat mission.
Despite a request from the mother of the deceased, the authorities and representatives of the OCU, who illegally took possession of the church and closed it down, did not allow the funeral to take place properly.
Priests of the Volodymyr-Volyn Eparchy, including Archpriest Volodymyr Rovinsky, Archpriest Mykhailo Chupak and Archpriest Vitaliy Lashta, rector of the local Orthodox community, accompanied the coffin with the body from the family home to the temple and then to the cemetery.
As reported by the UOC, a Volyn MP incites physical violence against UOC believers.
Read also
Ukraine loses almost 98% of cases at European Court of Human Rights
According to the ECtHR’s 2025 report, nearly all complaints against Ukraine end with findings of human rights violations.
UOC Chancellor on Kyiv Council decision targeting UOC: Obvious lawlessness
Metropolitan Anthony said the document adopted by the Kyiv Regional Council violates the Constitution, interferes with freedom of religion, and exceeds the body’s authority.
His Beatitude: Pure faith is the only path to soul salvation
On the Sunday of the Triumph of Orthodoxy, the Primate of the UOC urged the faithful not to tailor faith to human reasoning and passions, and reminded them of the significance of the Ecumenical Councils.
Children from UOC Khust Eparchy parish deliver aid to Ukrainian Armed Forces
Pupils of the Sunday school and members of the church children’s choir in Mizhhiria raised funds and directed them to support Ukrainian servicemen.
U.S. bishops call for Church unity on Sunday of the Triumph of Orthodoxy
The Assembly of Bishops of the USA has issued an encyclical for the Triumph of Orthodoxy on Church unity, veneration of icons, and support for pan-Orthodox ministry.
OCU organizes harassment of businessman for aiding UOC
Hryshchuk called for boycotting the business of the entrepreneur who built a UOC church in the Rivne region.