In Bukovynian village of Zabolottia, OCU reps seize St Elijah Church of UOC
The police are guarding the OCU raiders who broke into St. Elijah's Church of the UOC in Zabolottia. Photo: UOJ
On May 30, 2025, clerics and activists of the OCU, supported by the police, broke into the territory of the St. Elias Church of the UOC in the village of Zabolottia in Bukovyna and stormed the temple. This was reported to the UOJ by the faithful.
Pushing and beating the parishioners, the raiders broke the door and burst into the shrine. At this time, police representatives stood as a wall on the porch, covering the militants breaking the doors.
After the seizure, law enforcers lined up around the church and did not allow Orthodox Christians in.
The parishioners of the church gathered near their church praying.
The chaplain of the OCU, Roman Hryshchuk, came to the seized Orthodox sanctuary. The faithful chased him away, asking: «Why did you come?».
Reports from the scene indicate that mats and bags of food were brought into the church. Some representatives of the OCU dispersed, while some of the raiders, including people in military uniforms, are planning to spend the night in the Orthodox shrine.
The faithful conducted a live broadcast from the scene.
As the UOJ wrote, in Ust-Putyla, they showed how the police used force against the UOC parishioners.
Read also
Bancheny Monastery reports provocation
The UOC monastery in Bancheny has reported a provocation by unidentified individuals.
Romanian Church to hold joint prayer for peace in Ukraine
On the fourth anniversary of the beginning of the war in Ukraine, special prayers for an end to the hostility will be offered in all churches of the Romanian Patriarchate, both in the country and abroad.
Armenian bishops call on authorities to stop Church persecution
At a meeting in Austria, hierarchs of the Armenian Apostolic Church reaffirmed their faithfulness to Catholicos Karekin II of All Armenians and called on the authorities to stop the persecution of the clergy.
Italian media: Ukrainian authorities persecute the country’s largest confession
The Italian outlet L’Identità reported on mass searches, the arrests of clergy, and the ban on the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, which it describes as the largest Church in Ukraine.
Festival marking Orthodox Youth Day held in UOC's Volyn Eparchy
In Lutsk, the UOC’s annual youth forum brought together parish groups, clergy, and participants in a creative program for Orthodox Youth Day.
London mayor switches on festive Ramadan lights
In London, the Muslim mayor inaugurated Ramadan illuminations: a central street was decorated with a “Happy Ramadan” sign and Islamic-style ornaments.