Unknown individuals vote for joining two UOC parishes to OCU in Kelmentsi

Unknown individuals voting for the transfer of UOC parishes to the OCU in the town of Kelmentsi. Photo: OCU

Chernivtsi media outlets have been spreading information that two religious communities of the UOC in the town of Kelmentsi decided on March 1, 2025, to leave the UOC and join the OCU. However, the Chernivtsi Eparchy has stated that this information is not accurate.

According to a Bukovynian OCU website, 470 "registered members of the community" allegedly voted in favor of joining their structure.

The UOC Eparchy underscores that the parishioners of the churches dedicated to Archangel Michael and the Pochaev Icon of the Mother of God in Kelmentsi have remained faithful to the Ukrainian Orthodox Church.

"The parishioners did not participate in the OCU rallies and artistic-educational events, nor did they authorize anyone to speak or make decisions on their behalf," the statement reads.

As previously reported by the UOJ, nearly 600 parishioners of St. Demetrius Church in Panka, Bukovyna, reaffirmed their loyalty to the UOC.

Read also

New men’s monastery founded in UOC's Oleksandriia Eparchy

The Holy Transfiguration monastery will become a center of prayer and spiritual care in the region.

European Parliament conors memory of Archbishop Anastasios of Albania

For the first time, the European Parliament hosted an event dedicated to the life and works of the late Primate of the Albanian Church.

UN seeks to include abortion and gender ideology in “children’s rights”

In Geneva, the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child is considering a draft that proposes to enshrine for minors the right to abortion and gender transition without parental consent.

Surveillance camera aimed at Orthodox school near Cherkasy removed – believers

Unknown individuals posing as electricians installed a camera opposite the entrance to an Orthodox gymnasium. After the police were called, the device disappeared.

Crosses removed from churches and Christians arrested in China – media

UCA News reported that the authorities have stepped up repression of Christians as part of the campaign of the “Sinicization of religions.”

Pashinyan signs a “roadmap for renewing the Armenian Church”

The prime minister was supported by 10 hierarchs of the Armenian Apostolic Church.