Attempted arson at Yaroslavychi UOC church, built to replace a seized one

Traces of used motor oil on the church wall. Photo: Press service of the Rivne Eparchy

In the village of Yaroslavychi, within the Mlyniv Deanery, unknown individuals attempted to set fire to the Nativity of the Theotokos Church, according to the press service of the Rivne Diocese.

The incident occurred on February 5, 2025. The first to notice the traces of the crime was a parishioner who had previously donated land for the church's construction. She saw a blackened window with marks resembling fire damage and immediately called the police.

Law enforcement officers and canine units arrived at the scene to inspect the area. According to the diocese, unknown perpetrators doused the church walls with used motor oil, presumably intending to set it on fire. An investigation is currently underway, but the identities of the offenders have not yet been established.

The church in Yaroslavychi was built in 2020 after the local community lost its previous place of worship in 2019. Following a meeting on its “transition”, the former church was transferred to the jurisdiction of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine (OCU), forcing UOC believers to construct a new one.

Earlier, the UOJ reported that on September 19, 2020, a new UOC church was consecrated in Yaroslavychi to replace the one seized by OCU supporters.

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