In Dubivtsi, OCU activist unable to recite the Lord’s Prayer

A dialogue with the occupiers of the UOC church in Dubivtsi on April 1, 2025. Photo: Video screenshot from UOJ

A dialogue with the occupiers of the UOC church in Dubivtsi on April 1, 2025. Photo: Video screenshot from UOJ

On April 1, 2025, during the seizure of the Dormition Church in the village of Dubivtsi in Bukovyna, a dispute broke out between parishioners of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC) and “believers” of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine (OCU). The Orthodox residents of Bukovyna asked one of the raiders from Dumenko’s structure to recite the Lord’s Prayer.

The Christians even suggested praying together. The man attempted to begin with the first words, “Our Father...”, but, apparently unable to remember the rest, turned around and walked away.

According to reports from the scene, on the following day, April 2, the parishioners of the UOC Dormition Church returned to their sacred site to pray. They were forced to hold services outside the fence, while representatives of the OCU remained on the church grounds.

On that day, the masked thugs were no longer present. Only local residents – “believers” of the OCU – were on the premises. Upon seeing the Orthodox Christians praying, they called the police.

As previously reported by the UOJ, in Dubivtsi, a “priest” was also unable to explain where the OCU’s canonicity comes from.

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