Media: OCU raiders attempt to seize UOC church in Zastavna, Bukovyna
Seizure of the UOC Church of the Nativity of the Most Holy Theotokos in Zastavna. Photo: Dozor
A group of raiders from the Orthodox Church of Ukraine (OCU) broke through a fence and stormed the grounds of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church’s Church of the Nativity of the Most Holy Theotokos in the village of Zastavna, Chernivtsi region, according to the Dozor Telegram channel.
Representatives of Dumenko’s structure attacked Orthodox believers and began forcing their way onto the church property.
Journalists noted that the police present at the scene did nothing as the raiders shoved the faithful aside.
The security forces became active only near the church building, where they pushed out the believers and formed a corridor for the raiders.
Footage shows a cleric of the OCU personally breaking down the church doors.
As previously reported by the UOJ, a parishioner of a seized church in Krasyliv said to her son: “While you’re in the trenches, the police are waging war inside the church.”
Read also
TRC abducts rector of community in Sutkivtsi, Khmelnytskyi region
Archpriest Volodymyr Stefanyshyn has already been taken to a military training ground.
Church celebrates feast of Holy Foremost Apostles Peter and Paul
On July 12, the Feast of the Apostles Peter and Paul, the Apostles' Fast (Peter's Fast) comes to an end for Orthodox Christians.
UGCC cleric criticizes OCU head for awarding Greek Catholic officials
Hieromonk Yustyn Boiko of the Lviv Archeparchy called the awarding of church honors to officials a profanation and cited the example of an OCU order presented to a Greek Catholic official.
Expert who found no defamation in Dumenko’s remarks to face disciplinary action
An Interior Ministry research center has confirmed disciplinary measures against the expert whose findings supported what the Metropolitan’s representatives described as unfounded accusations by the OCU head against Metropolitan Theodosiy.
European Parliament condemns forced Islamization of children in Pakistan
The European Parliament has called on Pakistan to establish a mechanism to protect Christian families.
Church of the Presentation damaged by shelling in Russia’s Kursk Region
The newly built church in the village of Kulbaki, Glushkovo District, was completely gutted by fire after being struck by a projectile.