In Bukovyna, UOC parish introduces fixed membership, thwarting OCU’s plans

Religious community of the Church of the Nativity of the Most Holy Theotokos. Photo: medium

Attempts by OCU raiders to seize the UOC’s Church of the Nativity of the Most Holy Theotokos in the Bukovynian village of Stary Vovchynets have been ongoing for more than a year. In response, UOC believers decided to introduce fixed membership in the parish, preventing the first attempt at falsification, according to the press service of the Chernivtsi Eparchy.

It is noted that fixed membership in the religious community was introduced to counteract illegal transfers of parishes from the Ukrainian Orthodox Church to the OCU.

"Anyone wishing to be a member of our religious community must submit an application to the rector. The main requirement for membership is adherence to and observance of the Ten Commandments in Christian life. After a decision on membership is made, we publish the list of parishioners with the elder. Nationality does not matter to us – whether Ukrainian, Romanian, or another ethnicity," explained parishioner Vasyl Samushko.

Fixed membership was introduced to prevent falsifications during religious community meetings. Only registered members of the community, not people from other confessions or individuals with no connection to the parish, can express opinions and make decisions.

On February 2, with the permission of the Chernivtsi Military Administration, the parish of the Church of the Nativity of the Most Holy Theotokos held a general meeting, where 366 parishioners collectively reaffirmed their loyalty to the Ukrainian Orthodox Church.

According to the Dozor Telegram channel, this move thwarted the first attempt at falsification.

"On February 23, OCU activists, realizing their old scheme was ineffective, secretly held a raider meeting, during which they 'transferred' the church to their structure. At the same time, the parish emphasized that it remains part of the UOC and will defend itself," the report stated.

As previously reported by the UOJ, a Lviv official who 'transferred' Chernivtsi churches to the OCU was awarded by Epifaniy.

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