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
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".