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
Instead of Christmas: Zelensky declares January 7 Programmer’s Day
Zelensky decided that January 7 is the most appropriate date for introducing a new holiday.
OCU equates UOC’s losses from “transfers” with losses caused by occupation
In Dumenko’s circle, the losses suffered by the UOC due to so-called “voluntary transfers” to the OCU were equated with losses resulting from occupation and the re-subordination of communities to the Russian Orthodox Church.
Metropolitan of Cherkasy discharged from hospital after poisoning
After inpatient treatment, His Eminence Theodosiy has visibly lost weight.
UOC Social Department delivers gifts to Okhmatdyt patients
Clergy congratulated patients of the Kyiv hospital on the St Nicholas feast day and the upcoming holidays.
US bans schools from concealing children’s “gender transitions” from parents
Schools in California have abolished the so-called “gender secrecy policy”.
UOC releases updated “Liturgical Guidelines” app for iOS
The new update includes liturgical guidelines for 2026.