In Stari Broskivtsi, community holds services outdoors after church seizure

The UOC community of Sts Peter and Paul in Stari Broskivtsi. Photo: Facebook page “Faithful of the Chernivtsi-Bukovyna Eparchy of the UOC”

On May 25, 2025, the religious community of Saints Peter and Paul in the village of Stari Broskivtsi (Zrub hamlet), Bukovyna, held its first Divine Liturgy outside their seized church. The event was reported by the Facebook group “Faithful of the Chernivtsi-Bukovyna Eparchy of the UOC.”

The Liturgy was led by the parish rector, Archpriest Vitalii Belyk, who has remained faithful to the canonical Ukrainian Orthodox Church. The priest declined offers to join another jurisdiction and continues to minister to his flock under the new circumstances.

Parishioners erected a temporary canvas canopy around a small chapel, where services are now held.

It will be recalled that the church of Saints Peter and Paul was seized on May 20 by clerics of the OCU. According to the community, the unlawful change of jurisdiction and the takeover were orchestrated by the OCU’s notorious serial raider, Roman Hryshchuk.

The faithful are now forced to pray under the open sky, but their spirit remains unbroken. According to parishioners, despite the bad weather and difficult situation, the service was marked by a special sense of spirituality and unity.

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