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
Political expert: Declaring January 7 as Programmer’s Day resembles mockery
Kostiantyn Bondarenko commented on President Volodymyr Zelensky’s decision to designate a new professional holiday on the day when Christmas is celebrated.
Cherkasy court accuses Metropolitan Theodosiy of “improper sermon”
At another court hearing in the case of Metropolitan Theodosiy, an expert attempted to argue that there had been no violent seizure of the monastery in Cherkasy and that the alleged crime was committed by the Cherkasy hierarch through an “improper” sermon.
Catherine Whiteford discusses defense of UOC with Congressman Riley Moore
An American political figure spoke about a meeting that addressed the protection of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church and freedom of religion.
7-meter didukh to replace Christmas tree installed on Maidan
According to KSCA representatives, "the didukh, unlike the borrowed Christmas tree, is a traditional pre-Christian symbol of ancient Ukrainians".
Patriarch of Bulgaria: OCU will not take part in services at Phanar
The Bulgarian Patriarch emphasized that the OCU is not mentioned in the diptychs of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church and will not participate in joint services at the Phanar.
SBU shows what to do with those who celebrate Christmas on January 7
The video of the SBU features its employees breaking down the apartment doors with the comment: "Who comes 'caroling' to those who celebrate Christmas on January 7."