Romanian media reports on SBU searches at UOC dean’s home in Bukovyna

Archpriest Vasyl Kovalchuk. Photo: bucpress.eu

Journalists from the Romanian publication BucPress reported on the SBU searches conducted at the home of Archpriest Vasyl Kovalchuk, the dean of Storozhynets District of the Bukovyna Eparchy of the UOC. The publication pointed out that the SBU carried out the searches just hours before the visit of the Romanian delegation on March 6, 2025.

According to BucPress, Romania’s State Secretary for Religious Affairs, Ciprian Olinici, along with Romanian Ambassador to Kyiv Victor Micula and Romanian Consul General in Chernivtsi Irina-Loredana Stănculescu, were planning to visit the grave of Romanian politician Iancu Flondor, located in the courtyard of the Church of the Archangels Michael and Gabriel, where Fr. Vasyl serves.

Describing the situation with the searches, the Romanian media outlet noted that the 62-year-old priest, who is ethnically Romanian, suffered heart problems and was taken to the hospital, where he was placed in intensive care.

"A close friend of Father Kovalchuk told BucPress that the Ukrainian authorities 'did everything possible to prevent a meeting with Romania’s Secretary for Religious Affairs,’" the report stated.

According to the Chernivtsi Eparchy, in addition to laying flowers at Iancu Flondor’s grave, the Romanian delegation had also planned to discuss the protection of the rights and freedoms of Orthodox Christians in Bukovyna.

The Romanian media also reminded readers that on February 9, representatives of the OCU attempted to seize two churches in Storozhynets.

Previously, the UOJ reported that the Romanian delegation visited Archpriest Vasyl Kovalchuk in the hospital later that evening.

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