In Zabolottia, over 100 parishioners of seized church hold outdoor liturgy

Persecuted UOC community in Zabolottia. Photo: Facebook page “Faithful of the Chernivtsi-Bukovyna Eparchy of the UOC”

After their church was seized by OCU militants, more than a hundred faithful from the UOC’s Church of St. Elias in the Bukovynian village of Zabolottia gathered for Divine Liturgy under the open sky. The service was held in the yard of a parishioner and celebrated by their rector, Archpriest Mykola Tsurkan, according to the Facebook group “Faithful of the Chernivtsi-Bukovyna Eparchy of the UOC.”

It is reported that the priest came to his flock despite suffering injuries from a beating, to support, console, and share in the sorrow of the faithful who had lost their sacred church. More than one hundred people – adults and children alike – prayed together in the open air.

Eyewitnesses say the service was marked by a profound spirit of unity among believers, who refused to let the violent seizure of their church shake their faith.

“This was not just a gathering, but a true testimony of faith and spiritual resilience,” the UOC noted.

As a reminder, on May 30, 2025, clergy of the OCU led by Roman Hryshchuk, with police support, stormed the UOC’s Church of St. Elias in Zabolottia. OCU chaplains beat elderly parishioners who were trying to defend their temple. In particular, “priest” Petro Andriychuk, who came from Storozhynets to participate in the seizure, reportedly kicked a female parishioner twice.

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