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.
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