Cleric of UOC Ovruch Eparchy banned from priesthood for schismatic evasion
Dumenko is personally receiving Vadym Hvozd from Kalynivka. Photo: OCU
Metropolitan Vissarion of Ovruch and Korosten issued a decree on April 9, 2025, prohibiting the cleric of the Ovruch Eparchy of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church from the priesthood. This was reported by the eparchy's press service.
The rector of the Church of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross in the village of Kalynivka, Korosten district, Zhytomyr region, Priest Vadym Hvozd was subjected to a penance for "joining another religious jurisdiction (OCU), which is not recognized by the Jerusalem Patriarchate and other Orthodox Churches," and for violating his priestly oath.
The priest is instructed to return the Antimension. Metropolitan Vissarion warned him of the lack of grace in the Liturgies and Sacraments performed under the ban.
"We hope that you realize your sin and will return, in the near future, with repentance to the Holy Canonical Church of Christ," the decree states.
Earlier, the UOJ reported on a priest who voluntarily joined the OCU.
Read also
Common Easter date with Orthodox still a long way off – Vatican rep
The Vatican’s ambassador to Ukraine said that dialogue on synchronizing the calendar is ongoing, but no tangible progress has been made.
Persecuted UOC сommunity сelebrates its patronal feast in Mali Dorohostai
In the Rivne Eparchy, the persecuted community of the Church of St. Spyridon of Trimythous marked its patronal feast.
Catholic monastery in Germany to open escape room for visitors
The Norbertines of Roggenburg have devised a way to attract visitors as the abbey prepares to celebrate its 900th anniversary.
Cherkasy court extends preventive measure against Metropolitan Theodosiy
The judge left unchanged the preventive measure imposed on the UOC hierarch in four criminal cases.
UOC parish in Lisbon celebrates 5th anniversary of its founding
The community of the Church of St. Spyridon of Trimythous in Lisbon marked its patronal feast and the fifth anniversary of its founding.
Pope says true Christians can have no enemies
Pope Leo XIV reflects on martyrdom as a “birth into heaven” and on Christmas joy a the choice of "justice even at great cost,” making celebration possible even amid suffering.