In Rzhavyntsi, new UOC temple built and consecrated in place of seized one

Believers at the celebration of the Day of the Holy Trinity in the village of Rzhavyntsi. Photo: Faithful of the Chernivtsi-Bukovyna Eparchy of UOC

On June 9, 2025, in the village of Rzhavintsy, Chernivtsi region, the religious community of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church in honor of the Holy Trinity celebrated the first patronal feast in the church, built and consecrated after the loss of the previous one. This was reported on the Facebook page "Faithful of the Chernivtsi-Bukovyna Eparchy of the UOC".

The event became an important spiritual milestone for the faithful who remained loyal to the Church despite the trials they faced.

Let us recall that on December 20, 2023, the community's previous church was seized by supporters of the OCU with the participation of the head of the OTG (regional territorial community) , Vitaliy Shafer. The seizure was accompanied by the use of a grinder and a crowbar.

To share the joy of the feast with the parish rector, Archpriest Serhiy Kozar, clergy from different parts of the eparchy arrived. The Divine Liturgy was led by Archpriest Vasyl Bodnariuk, rector of the Transfiguration parish in the village of Onut.

During the service, prayers were offered for peace in Ukrainian land, deliverance from enmity and sorrows, protection of the suffering, and for people of goodwill helping those in need.

The sermon after the prayer "Our Father" was delivered by Archpriest Vitaliy Skorobohach, emphasizing the importance of communal prayer and spiritual resilience.

After the service, a procession with the reading of the Gospel and sprinkling of the church with holy water took place. 

In conclusion, the rector of the church, Archpriest Serhiy, thanked everyone for their joint prayer, support, and the path from the seizure of the previous church to the consecration of the new one.

Earlier, the UOJ reported that in the village of Olkha, Zhytomyr region, the church of the Intercession Monastery was consecrated.

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