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.
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".