OCU seizes St. Michael’s Church in Svitylna, Kyiv region
An intruder cuts through the doors of a UOC church in the presence of police. Photo: Dozor
April 8, 2025 – Activists of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine (OCU) have seized the St. Michael’s Church belonging to the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC) in the village of Svitylna, Brovary district, Kyiv region, according to Dozor.
The seizure took place early in the morning under cover of darkness and in the presence of law enforcement officers. A video published by Dozor shows an individual using an angle grinder to cut through the church doors, while police officers in a nearby parked vehicle watched without intervening.
Dozor also noted that the parish rector, Fr. Maksym Molotkov, and the church community had been actively helping those in need.
Earlier, the UOJ reported that a seizure of the Intercession Church was being prepared in Hlyboka.
Read also
Serbian media: Ukrainian authorities fail to "cancel" Christmas on January 7
Serbian "Politika" reported that the festive services of the UOC at the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra and throughout the country gathered thousands of believers despite state pressure.
U.S. military chaplains greet Orthodox believers on Christmas on January 7
American military chaplains have published a festive Christmas message to Orthodox Christians.
DESS: Almost 1,400 parishes "transferred" from UOC to OCU over past 3 years
The State Service for Ethnopolitics reported how many religious communities were taken from the UOC in 2022–2025.
Young UOC parishioners of Buhryn sing Christmas carols at closed church
Young parishioners of the Ascension Church of the Rivne Eparchy glorified the Nativity of Christ at the gate of their locked church.
Metropolitan Victor prays with persecuted UOC parish in Starokostiantyniv
The hierarch of the Khmelnytskyi Eparchy led the festal service on the day of the Synaxis of the Most Holy Theotokos.
Met Theodosiy serves Liturgy on Christmas for first time since his illness
The ruling hierarch of the Cherkasy Eparchy celebrated his first service after illness together with the clergy and faithful.