UOC community in Verkhni Stanyvtsi appeals to UN for protection

Community in Verkhni Stanyvtsi. Photo: UOJ

On April 10, 2025, the St. Nicholas parish community of the village of Verkhni Stanyvtsi recorded a video appeal addressed to the United Nations office in Ukraine, the All-Ukrainian Committee for the Protection of Human Rights, and the international community. The parishioners are seeking protection after an attack on their church and congregation. The appeal was sent to the UOJ's editorial office.

They stated that “on the night of April 8 to 9, unknown individuals wearing balaclavas and armed with batons and pepper spray assaulted local parishioners, including women and the elderly. After breaking the church lock, they desecrated the holy place.”

According to the community's statement, the attack was led by Roman Hryshchuk, who is a cleric of the OCU (Orthodox Church of Ukraine). Despite the aggression, the faithful managed to defend their church.

“We ask for the protection of our rights to freedom of religion and the safeguarding of our property and human life. Christ is Risen! Truly He is Risen!” the parishioners concluded in their appeal.

As a reminder, the UOJ provided a detailed analysis of the attack on the St. Nicholas Church in Verkhni Stanyvtsi in the article “Blaspemy at the Altar and Beaten Parishioners – True Face of the OCU?”

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