OCU seizes Resurrection Church in Krasyliv by force

Seizure of the Resurrection Church in Krasyliv. Photo: UOJ

On May 15, 2025, militants and clerics of the OCU, with the support of the police, broke the locks on the Resurrection Church of the UOC and seized the sacred site. A parishioner streamed the takeover live on Facebook.

Footage shows that by around 8 a.m., the church doors had already been broken open. One UOC cleric who tried to stop the intruders was violently thrown to the ground using a wrestling move. They also took his phone, which had recorded the breaking and entering.

One of the OCU "priests" roughly pushed aside the rector, Vitalii Dunets, entered the altar, and began changing into liturgical vestments to hold a "prayer service."

After the seizure, police blocked the church doors as well as access to the church grounds. As of now, the community is forced to pray outside the church.

It will be recalled that attempts by the OCU to seize the Resurrection Church in Krasyliv have been ongoing since 2023. This year alone, there have already been three attempted takeovers. In April 2023, the authorities organized an illegal gathering of unknown individuals behind the church fence. However, parishioners held their own lawful meeting, reaffirming their allegiance to the UOC, and successfully defended the church from the raiders.

Krasyliv mayor Ostrovska publicly complained on TV that the priest and parishioners refuse to join the OCU: "Unfortunately, the clergy and parishioners of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church truly do not wish to voluntarily transfer to the OCU. Although I have met with the priest several times and tried to persuade him, unfortunately, there has been no voluntary transition."

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