In Zabolottia, family threatened with loss of children over UOC

The Havryliuk family, threatened by the OCU with the loss of their children. Photo: UOJ

During the violent takeover of the UOC’s Church of St. Elijah in the village of Zabolottia (Bukovyna), a cleric of the OCU from Storozhynets, Petro Andriychuk, threatened a mother of 15, Kateryna Havryliuk, that her children would be taken away. This was reported to the UOJ by sources within the parish community.

The Havryliuk family has 15 children – seven biological and eight adopted – all of whom are parishioners of the St. Elijah Church. According to community members, during the church seizure, OCU cleric Andriychuk beat parishioners with metal rods and verbally abused Kateryna, threatening to report her to juvenile authorities because the family attends UOC services and brings their children with them. During the same assault, another OCU representative, Oleh Korduban, reportedly attempted to strangle Kateryna’s husband.

In addition, OCU supporters have been spreading slander about the Havryliuk family’s eldest son, who has been missing in action at the front for 28 months, falsely claiming he fled abroad. The family’s son-in-law is currently serving in the Ukrainian Armed Forces.

The parents are now deeply concerned for the safety and well-being of their children, fearing that the threats made by OCU representatives could lead to serious consequences.

As previously reported by the UOJ, footage shows Andriychuk kicking female parishioners and elbowing another parishioner in the face.

Earlier, the UOJ also reported that during the violent seizure, OCU clerics took control of the Church of St. Elijah in Zabolottia. Since then, over 100 parishioners have been forced to conduct their worship services outdoors.

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