OCU seizes UOC church in Blahodatne, taking advantage of priest’s illness

Dormition Church of the UOC in Blahodatne, Cherkasy region. Photo: Dozor

March 12, 2025 – A group of OCU raiders stormed the Dormition Church of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC) in the village of Blahodatne, Cherkasy region, and took control of the sacred site. According to sources from the Dozor Telegram channel, the break-in occurred at 5:30 AM.

"To seize the church, OCU raiders cynically exploited the illness of the rector, Fr. Ihor Bondarenko. The priest suffers from a heart condition, and the raiders knew he would not be able to defend the church," Dozor reported.

When parishioners learned about the takeover and came to protect the church, police did not allow them onto the premises.

Journalists reported that the takeover was led by former UOC cleric and now OCU activist Roman Lychak.

"Also present was the notorious serial raider Nazarii Zassanskyi," the report stated.

It was noted that OCU activists forged documents related to the parish. However, this did not grant them any legal rights to the church itself, as it remains the private property of the rector.

Earlier, the UOJ reported that another underground space was consecrated in Cherkasy for a persecuted UOC parish.

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