"We know how houses burn": OCU threatens UOC priest's family in Vendychany

Rector of the UOC Parish of the Nativity of the Most Holy Theotokos, Fr. Anatoliy Kiryachuk. Photo: Screenshot from Dozor_kozak1 Telegram channel

In the village of Vendychany, Vinnytsia region, where earlier the police had sealed the Church of the Nativity of the Most Holy Theotokos of the UOC, a group of OCU raiders cut the locks and stormed the church on February 11. According to the Dozor_kozak1 Telegram channel, individuals associated with Dumenko’s structure have also threatened the priest’s family.

Despite the wishes of the Orthodox community, the parish was re-registered under the OCU, and while the rector, Archpriest Anatoliy Kiryachuk, was away on a pilgrimage, OCU members seized the church.

Reports indicate that the raiders even broke the police seals that had been placed on the church on February 9.

Fr. Anatoliy Kiryachuk recorded a video message to his parishioners.

"My wife was also compelled to leave Vendychany because she started receiving very serious threats from our opponents, including from Zhuk Tetiana, which I want to officially state. Words were spoken such as 'we know where you live' and 'we know how houses burn.' So, in order to protect her life and the lives of our children, my wife was forced to leave," he said.

The priest stated that he would return in a few days and resolve the situation through legal means.

Earlier, the UOJ reported that in July 2024, UOC believers in Vendychany defended their church from being transferred to the OCU. On February 9, individuals associated with OCU attempted to enter the church but faced resistance from UOC believers. To resolve the conflict, the police were called, and they sealed the building.

Read also