Priest in the village of Kamenna near Chernivtsi joins OCU
Drahynda and Bodoriak. Photo: OCU Press Service
On May 18, 2025, Orest Dragynda, rector of the Church of St. Seraphim of Sarov in the village of Kamenna near Chernivtsi, joined the Orthodox Church of Ukraine (OCU). This was reported by the website of the Chernivtsi-Bukovyna Eparchy of the OCU, which published a photo of Drahynda together with “bishop” Theognost Bodoriak.
The announcement states that Drahynda, “together with the religious community of the church... made a significant decision – to leave the jurisdiction of the Moscow Patriarchate and join the Local Orthodox Church of Ukraine.”
Earlier, the UOJ reported that, according to the head of the Department of Culture of the Chernivtsi Regional Administration, the authorities do not verify the legality of parish meetings on transitions to the OCU.
Read also
Orthodox Christians in Germany take part in March for Life in Munich
Several thousand people took to the streets of the city to defend traditional values and children’s right to life.
UOC church damaged by shelling in Dobropillia
The Holy Trinity Church in Dobropillia sustained serious damage as a result of military action.
Pope calls for weapons to fall silent and for dialogue in Ukraine
The head of the Vatican expressed regret over the intensifying attacks on civilians and called the ceasefire in the Middle East “a reason for hope.”
House Speaker presented with Ukrainian “icon” painted on HIMARS lid
The “icon,” painted on the lid of a HIMARS system, depicts Jesus as the Good Shepherd.
UOC priest Pinchuk joins Constantinople Patriarchate
Andriy Pinchuk has begun serving in the Scandinavian Metropolis of the Constantinople Patriarchate as a “volunteer cleric.”
Ukraine’s Chief Rabbi: Kyiv terrorist was a militant antisemite
The religious leader said the attacker had called for “purges” and for the killing of Jews and Ukrainians.