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
Most Britons oppose abortions, poll finds
The survey found that 62% of UK residents support legal protection for unborn children from the moment their heartbeat is first detected.
Annual academic conference opens at Kyiv Theological Academy and Seminary
The fifteenth annual conference was dedicated to the anniversaries of Prince Vasyl-Kostiantyn Ostrožský and Metropolitan Rafail (Zaborovský).
Feminists attack Roman Catholic churches in Latin America
During protest actions, members of radical groups attacked cathedrals in several Latin American countries, assaulted police officers, and threw paint at believers.
UOC hierarch takes part in German bishops’ conference
Bishop Veniamin of Boyarka took part in the OBKD assembly in Düsseldorf.
Ivano-Frankivsk scraps school project planned on demolished UOC church site
The authorities in Ivano-Frankivsk have dropped plans to build the school for whose construction a UOC church was demolished.
Shostatsky to UOC: If you are so righteous – do not cling to your churches
The OCU metropolitan called on UOC faithful and clergy to pray rather than defend their churches from seizures.