Khmelnytskyi Eparchy comments on church seizure in Krasyliv

Ascension Church of the UOC in Krasyliv. Photo: Khmelnytskyi Diocese

On the evening of May 15, 2025, following the seizure of the church belonging to the Resurrection religious community in Krasyliv (Khmelnytskyi region), the press service of the Khmelnytskyi Eparchy of the UOC issued a statement declaring that the parishioners would defend their rights both nationally and internationally.

In its official Telegram channel, the diocese described the actions of the raiders as “illegal,” noting that they were carried out under the pretense of enforcing an unfounded court decision “obliging the community not to hinder the use of the church.”

It was reported that the “brutal takeover” involved former UOC priest – now with the OCU – Ivan Kulynych, district enforcement officer Roman Yaroslavovych Khabal, local officials, and police personnel.

“Throughout the day, police officers barred parishioners of the Resurrection religious community from entering the church – a fact documented in video footage of the incident,” the statement said.

The diocesan press service emphasized that, at a parish assembly held on May 7, 2023, the community decided to preserve its spiritual and canonical unity with the Ukrainian Orthodox Church under the primacy of His Beatitude Metropolitan Onuphry.

Another general parish meeting took place on March 2, 2025, during which members of the community unanimously reaffirmed that the parish continues to operate within the bounds of current legislation, with regular worship services, sacraments, prayers for peace, memorial services for the fallen, and supplications for the Ukrainian people.

The Khmelnytskyi Eparchy reminds that, under Ukrainian law, religious organizations have the right to independently manage their internal affairs.

“Supporters of the OCU, along with certain representatives of state authorities and local self-government, have blatantly exceeded their official powers and, by ignoring all legal norms and human morality, demonstrated that for them, the law is meaningless,” the statement declared.

According to the diocesan press service, the Resurrection religious community in Krasyliv, in protest against the lawlessness and violation of its rights, will continue to defend its right to freedom of religion through legal means at both the national and international levels.

As previously reported by the UOJ, attempts by the OCU to seize the Resurrection Church in Krasyliv have been ongoing since 2023. This year alone, there have already been three such attempts. In April 2023, the authorities organized an illegal gathering of unknown individuals outside the church gates. However, the legitimate parish meeting reaffirmed loyalty to the UOC and succeeded in keeping the raiders out.

Krasyliv mayor Ostrovska publicly lamented on television that the priest and parishioners refused to join the OCU: “Unfortunately, the clergy and parishioners of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church truly do not wish to voluntarily transition to the OCU. Although I have met with the priest several times and tried to persuade him, unfortunately, there is no voluntary transition.”

Read also