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.

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