Media: In Kremenchuk, UOC parish defends its cathedral in court

The Dormition Cathedral of the UOC in Kremenchuk. Photo: kg.ua

On October 17, numerous parishioners of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church defended the Dormition Cathedral in Kremenchuk from an attempted raid. However, the building was subsequently sealed and closed by the police. According to the local publication kg.ua, the faithful are now defending their rights in court.

The situation has provoked frustration among local activists. According to Olga Ponamarenko, the church remains closed, and all unlawful attempts by the OCU to enter the building are being prevented by parishioners. She also noted that the Kremenchuk Diocese of the UOC has hired lawyer Archpriest Nikita Chekman, who has filed a lawsuit to invalidate the "transition" of the parish to the OCU.

The publication states that, according to Ponamarenko, representatives of the UOC gathered more than 200 signatures from believers who decided to remain loyal to the Ukrainian Orthodox Church.

Meanwhile, the OCU has filed a lawsuit against the UOC parish, accusing it of preventing them from illegally seizing the cathedral.

Ponamarenko expressed regret that the church was not taken by force earlier.

"Our mistake was listening to the police and everyone who said: 'Do you want a bloodbath?' or 'Do you want another Cherkasy incident?' In Cherkasy, thanks to 'bloodbaths', UOC (ROC) lackeys were kicked out of the church in one day, and the next day prayers were being offered in Ukrainian! Not a single Muscovite left in the church!" the activist said.

As previously reported by the UOJ, on October 17, during an evening service, unknown young men in balaclavas broke into the Dormition Cathedral. They behaved aggressively and provoked parishioners. The intruders brought tools such as grinders and crowbars, using them to cut locks on the doors and replace the lock on the main entrance.

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