OCU raider overseeing church seizures awarded for "spiritual contribution"

Roman Hryshchuk during the seizure of the St. Nicholas Church in Verkhni Stanivtsi. Photo: UOJ

Roman Hryshchuk, a serial OCU raider who oversees the takeovers of UOC churches in Bukovina, has been named a recipient of the Ohienko Award, according to the Department of Culture and Tourism of the Zhytomyr Regional Administration.

Hryshchuk was awarded in the category of “Socio-political and Spiritual Activity.”

The Ohienko Prize has been awarded since 1995 to individuals recognized for their contributions to the development of spirituality, culture, and interethnic and interfaith harmony.

In 2024, the award in the same category was given to Epifaniy Dumenko. Apparently, the organizers – just as in Hryshchuk’s case – praised his "outstanding" contribution to promoting so-called “interfaith harmony.”

It will be reminded that Hryshchuk has twice attempted to seize the St. Nicholas Church in Verkhni Stanivtsi. During the first attempt, he arrived at night wearing a hood to conceal his face and used an angle grinder and crowbar to break into the church.

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