A new UOC temple to be built in Ptycha instead of the one seized by OCU

Bishop Pimen with the clergy of the Rivne diocese of the UOC and parishioners of Ptycha village. Photo: UOJ

On October 26, on the holiday of the Iberian Icon of the Mother of God, a site was consecrated for the construction of a new church of the Holy Dormition parish of the UOC instead of the one seized by supporters of the OCU in Ptycha village, Rivne region, the UOJ correspondent reports.

The rite of consecration was headed by the temporary chancellor of the Rivne diocese of the UOC, Bishop Pimen of Dubno. A lot of priests from neighboring parishes and pilgrims from nearby villages came to support the Ptycha community, which has been living in the harsh conditions of a church war for five years.

The place where the church will be erected was chosen near the house, which was purchased last year and consecrated as a temporary temple. “The land plot is large enough, 50 acres,” says the rector of the Holy Dormition church, Archpriest Grigory Stadnik. "Though we were permitted to prepare building documents for 25 acres only, this is enough for us.”

Bishop Pimen thanked the believers of Ptycha village for being able to unite, preserve the faith and the religious community. “Today I’m witnessing that the Lord Himself is helping you; the temple will be nice, I believe in it. Build, plant flowers, rejoice!” said the bishop.

As Father Gregory said, as soon as October 28, construction work will commence at the site where the consecrated cross was erected. “We’ve found a benefactor who gives specialized equipment for free, another donor will refuel the cars. I believe that with such zeal and concern there will be a basement before freezing temperatures,” the rector of the UOC community believes.

As the UOJ reported, the Primate of the UOC awarded an order to the priest of the persecuted UOC community in Ptycha village.

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