In Varash, UOC faithful defend their cathedral

A large number of parishioners stood in defense of the UOC Transfiguration Cathedral in Varash. Photo: Dozor

On May 15, 2025, the faithful of the Holy Transfiguration Cathedral of the Sarny Eparchy of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC) in Varash, Rivne region, successfully defended their shrine from an attempted takeover by the Orthodox Church of Ukraine (OCU), reports the Dozor Telegram channel later that evening.

“A group of raiders from the OCU, who came to ‘inspect’ the cathedral, were unable to enter the House of God. They tried to disrupt the prayer and break through the Orthodox Christians. Thank God, the raiders’ provocation failed, and they left the cathedral grounds,” the Dozor post stated.

According to journalists, Varash City Council deputy Oleksandr Derevianchuk actively participated in the raid. “After the raiders’ failure, he continued to stir up hatred and incite violence against Orthodox Christians,” the report noted.

It is noted that there are already two OCU churches in the city, but activists aligned with Epifaniy Dumenko are persistently trying to seize the Orthodox cathedral.

Previously, they had held an unlawful meeting of the local territorial community.

“They made a decision without us, transferring us to another denomination. We have entered into a legal battle,” said a priest who was present at the scene.

He noted that 1,528 parishioners had voted to remain within the UOC.

“Nevertheless, the state administration re-registered the cathedral. For two years and one month now, we’ve been treated as if we’re praying illegally. The Commercial Court ruled against us, but the Court of Appeal overturned that decision, and now we’re in the midst of ongoing legal proceedings.”

As reported by UOJ, on May 15 in Varash, Rivne region, several activists and OCU clerics, calling themselves an “inspection commission,” came to the UOC’s Transfiguration Cathedral to inventory church property.

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