UOC priest to militants: My brother went missing at war – why aren’t you there?
Militants in balaclavas block the community's access to their church. Photo: UOJ
During the seizure of the Dormition Church in Dubivtsi, as activists and clergy from the Orthodox Church of Ukraine (OCU) used crowbars to break the locks on the church doors, a group of young men in balaclavas stood at the gates, blocking priests and believers of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC) from entering their place of worship.
When believers asked why the men were seizing churches instead of defending their homeland, the militants responded only with slogans: "Glory to the nation – death to the enemies!" and "Ukraine above all!"
"My brother went missing at the front two years ago. He was 27. And here you are, calling yourselves patriots," a priest said to the militants. But they responded only with shouts about "Moscow priests."
Earlier, the UOJ reported that in Dubivtsi, Bukovyna, people in balaclavas seized the UOC church.
Read also
UOC eparchies hold charitable actions throughout Ukraine at Easter
Believers and clergy of the UOC provided humanitarian aid to military personnel, displaced persons, hospitals and those in need throughout Ukraine.
Culture Ministry holds identity forum in Lavra’s Refectory Church
The authorities used the Lavra’s Refectory Church to discuss questions of “identity as connectedness.”
Romania to host relics of St George from Mount Athos for first time
Pilgrims at Romania’s Pantocrator Monastery will have the opportunity to venerate the honorable head of St George during the Paschal pilgrimage.
UCCRO complains to World Council of Churches about seizure of UGCC church
UCCRO discussed persecution in territories not under Kyiv’s control with the leadership of the World Council of Churches.
Faithful send letter to Cyprus Archbishop in defense of Metropolitan Tychikos
The Orthodox flock of Paphos has called on the head of the Church of Cyprus to abandon pressure on the hierarch and avert the threat of a church schism.
Street in village near Kyiv named after Filaret Denysenko
A lane in Hnativka has been named after “Patriarch Filaret.”