Photos show OCU’s “prayer kit” used in seized church in Ust-Putyla

"Prayer kit of an OCU raider". Photo: Facebook group “Faithful of the Chernivtsi-Bukovyna Eparchy of the UOC”

The Facebook group “Faithful of the Chernivtsi-Bukovyna Eparchy of the UOC” published photos of the so-called “prayer kit” used by clerics of the OCU who seized the UOC Church of St. Paraskeva in Ust-Putyla on May 21, 2025.

The photos show an angle grinder, power drill, bolt cutters, hacksaw, wire cutters, and other tools typically used to break locks or cut through metal structures. In addition, the “priests” from Dumenko’s structure left behind empty wine bottles and other unidentified liquid containers. According to parishioners, the raiders claimed they broke into the church “for the purpose of prayer.”

Earlier, the UOJ reported that footage was posted online showing OCU raiders breaking the locks at the UOC church in Ust-Putyla.

Read also

Civic movement calls on SBU to tighten oversight of Pochaiv Lavra

Activists demanded that legal proceedings begin immediately if the Pochaiv Lavra fails to comply with DESS requirements.

4th-year students tonsured as readers at Pochaiv Seminary

Metropolitan Sergiy and Archbishop Job performed the tonsure of readers on the feast of the Beheading of John the Baptist.

Chisinau Airport restricts access due to influx of Hasidic pilgrims

Chisinau Airport administration has established special rules due to the transit of Hasidic pilgrims to Ukraine.

SBU reports suspicion against ROC Metropolitan Tikhon (Shevkunov)

The SBU and the Prosecutor General's Office charged the ROC hierarch under two articles of the Criminal Code of Ukraine.

UCCRO briefs German delegation on persecution in occupied territories

UCCRO members discussed cooperation with the German delegation from Baden-Württemberg.

DESS congratulates Ukraine’s Jewish community on Rosh Hashanah

DESS emphasized the importance of the Jewish community in Ukraine preserving its own identity.