Persecuted UOC parish celebrates Triumph of Orthodoxy in a rural house
UOC parish of the Nativity of the Theotokos in the village of Vendychany. Photo: Dozor
On March 9, 2025, in the village of Vendychany, Vinnytsia region, the faithful of the UOC parish of the Nativity of the Theotokos prayerfully celebrated the Triumph of Orthodoxy in an improvised worship facility. Photos of the service were published by the Dozor Telegram channel.
"On February 11, OCU raiders cut the locks and stormed their church. Epifaniy's thieves and militants threatened the priest and his family with death," journalists reminded.
Despite the takeover, the parishioners continue their liturgical life in an unfinished village house.
"The flame of the UOC believers’ prayer keeps on shining amidst the rampant evil and hatred," Dozor commented.
Earlier, the UOJ reported that OCU members broke police seals and seized the church while the priest was on a pilgrimage trip. The priest’s wife was forced to leave the village after receiving threats against her family, and the UOC community had to pray outdoors.
Read also
Kosovo to enact law restricting Serbian Church, experts say
Analysts warn that the new "Law on Foreigners" in Kosovo could restrict the presence of clergy, believers' access to shrines, and increase pressure on the Serbian community.
Congress Speaker: Demand to introduce Sharia law in USA is a serious problem
The Speaker of the House of Representatives stated that there is growing concern in society about attempts to impose Islamic law, which is incompatible with the American Constitution.
UK government introduces restrictions on "anti-Muslim hostility"
UK authorities have adopted a new definition of "Islamophobia" which, according to experts, could provide Muslims with special protection and restrict freedom of speech.
Dumenko brings icon in Church Slavonic to Ministry of Health
Epifaniy presented cardiologists with an Intercession icon, with inscriptions in Church Slavonic, which his structure calls a "sign of the Moscow tradition".
ISIS supporters carries out terrorist attack at anti-Islamic protest in NY
Near the home of New York's Muslim mayor, radicals threw two makeshift bombs at protesters during an anti-Islamic rally.
Hryshchuk: If UOC hands over its church itself, angle grinders aren't needed
An OCU chaplain called on UOC believers to accept the loss of the shrine for the sake of their own "enlightenment".