Death to enemies: Outsiders transfer three UOC temples to OCU in Chernivtsi
Fake meeting in Chernivtsi for the transfer of three UOC churches at once. Photo: Facebook Centrul Media BucPress Cernăuți
On February 16, 2025, in Chernivtsi, a crowd of unknown individuals, led by several OCU clerics, held a meeting outside the fence of the Holy Spirit Cathedral of the UOC to "transfer" three churches of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church at once: the Holy Spirit Cathedral, St. Nicholas Cathedral, and the Saints Peter and Paul Church. The illegal meeting was broadcast by the Romanian TV channel Centrul Media BucPress Cernăuți.
During the event, several hundred believers of the actual UOC Holy Spirit Cathedral community prayed inside the church. Accordingly, none of them participated in the gathering.
At the meeting, led by the "prominent Chernivtsi resident" Ivan Derda, those present, holding flags of Ukraine and the OUN-UPA, voted in a single package for all three main churches of the Chernivtsi-Bukovyna Eparchy of the UOC. The head of the local OCU diocese, Theognost Bodoryak, was appointed as the new head of the Holy Spirit Cathedral.
The OCU cleric and registrar of the Chernivtsi Regional Military Administration, Mykola Herheliuk, was tasked with handling the registration. After the event, Herheliuk shouted, "Glory to the nation!" to which the crowd responded, "Death to the enemies!"
Earlier, the UOJ reported that the OCU had announced the "transfer" of the UOC cathedral in Chernivtsi.
Read also
SBU told Phanar many UOC bishops would join OCU in 2018, report says
According to a Phanar representative’s account, Ukrainian security services told the Constantinople delegation that many UOC representatives were prepared to attend the OCU’s “Unification Council.” In the end, only two did.
Catholic cardinal visits Ukrainian POWs during trip to Russia
During three days of consultations in Moscow, Cardinal Matteo Zuppi discussed prospects for ending the war in Ukraine.
Ukrainians help restore Serbian Orthodox church in Paris
Orthodox Ukrainians have become regular parishioners of St. Sava Church in Paris and have taken part in its restoration.
Bulgarian Church clergy and laity oppose Phanar head’s visit
More than 2,000 clergy and laity have called for the Ecumenical Patriarch’s visit to be canceled, citing disagreement with his actions and concerns that the visit could legitimize schism.
Unknown intruders break down doors at two UOC churches in Sloviansk
Archbishop Paisiy said OCU activists are suspected of breaking into the churches in Sloviansk, and police have launched an investigation.
Sviatohirsk Lavra prays for murdered monk on 40th day after death
The brethren of the Sviatohirsk Lavra held a memorial service for murdered Monk Varsonofiy, calling on the faithful to pray for the newly departed monk.