UOC сommunity in Vendychany compelled to pray outdoors after church seizure
The UOC community in Vendychany prays outdoors. Photo: Pershyi Kozatskyi
On February 23, 2025, the UOC community of the Nativity of the Theotokos in Vendychany, Vinnytsia region, was forced to pray under the open sky in the central square of the village, according to Dozor_kozak1 Telegram channel.
On February 11, raiders from the OCU broke the locks and took over the community’s church. As a result, parishioners no longer have a place to hold services.
The community prayed for fallen Ukrainian soldiers and for peace in Ukraine.
Earlier, the UOJ reported that the OCU broke police seals and seized a church while the rector was on a pilgrimage trip. The rector’s wife, after receiving threats against her family, was forced to leave the village.
Read also
Festivities to honor St. Anthony of the Caves begin at Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra
On the eve of the feast of the founder of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra, His Beatitude Metropolitan Onuphry led the All-Night Vigil at the Church of St. Agapitus.
Zhytomyr Eparchy pilgrims meet Patriarch Theophilos in Jerusalem
Pilgrims from the Ukrainian Orthodox Church venerated the holy sites of the Holy Land and received the blessing of the Primate of the Jerusalem Church.
Deaths outnumber births nearly four to one in Ukraine – official data
During the first half of the year, 73,000 children were born in Ukraine, while nearly 260,000 people died.
Odesa marks feast of uncovering of St. Gabriel of Athos’ relics
Metropolitan Agafangel celebrated the Divine Liturgy at Odesa’s St. Elijah Monastery on the feast of the uncovering of the relics of the monastery’s founder.
Hearing in DESS lawsuit against UOC's Kyiv Metropolis postponed
The court postponed consideration of the DESS lawsuit seeking the dissolution of the UOC’s Kyiv Metropolis until September 10.
UK appoints first Catholic prime minister
Britain’s new prime minister, Andy Burnham, was raised in a Catholic family, attended Catholic schools, and has spoken publicly about his faith on numerous occasions.