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.
Read also
Court replaces prison with probation for Jehovah's Witness who refused to fight
The Supreme Court of Ukraine upheld the conviction of a Jehovah's Witness for evading mobilization, replacing a three-year prison sentence with a probationary term.
UOC Izium Eparchy supports children evacuated from Kupiansk
A priest of the Izium Eparchy visited a family-type children’s home housing children evacuated from the Kupiansk district and brought them gifts.
Jerusalem court releases Catholic nun's attacker after mental health ruling
An Israeli court ordered the man who attacked a French nun to undergo compulsory psychiatric treatment after finding that he had been psychotic at the time.
Vandals ransack St. Athanasius Church in Korçë, Albania
Unknown vandals smashed icons and poured cement inside an Orthodox church in the mountain village of Sinicë near Korçë.
Egypt and Sinai monastery discuss dual-ownership formula
An Egyptian court has postponed consideration of appeals concerning St. Catherine’s Monastery on Sinai as the parties work on an agreement.
UOC faithful and provocateurs gather outside Kyiv court in Lavra case
Orthodox Christians and radicals gathered outside the capital’s commercial court of appeal, where the Upper Lavra case is being heard.