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
Pashinyan says Catholicos’ activities threaten Armenia’s security
At a briefing in Yerevan, Armenia’s head of government said the Catholicos poses a threat to the state.
Dumenko: Russian shelling only underscores the “canonical” status of the OCU
Serhiy Dumenko assured that the OCU “opposes discord by seeking accord, peace, and unity.”
Venezuela’s opposition leader hands Trump her Nobel Peace Prize medal
During talks at the White House, Venezuela’s opposition leader presented the U.S. president with the Nobel Peace Prize medal she received for her struggle against the regime in Caracas.
New UOC church of St. Basil the Great consecrated in Krasnoilsk, Bukovyna
The rite of consecration and the festive service were led by Metropolitan Meletiy of Chernivtsi and Bukovyna.
New men’s monastery founded in UOC's Oleksandriia Eparchy
The Holy Transfiguration monastery will become a center of prayer and spiritual care in the region.
European Parliament honors memory of Archbishop Anastasios of Albania
For the first time, the European Parliament hosted an event dedicated to the life and works of the late Primate of the Albanian Church.