UOC parishes of Rivne Eparchy being inspected for ties with ROC
The Eparchial Council of the Rivne Eparchy of the UOC. Photo: rivne.church.ua
The Chairman of the Rivne Regional Council, Andriy Karaush, issued an order to inspect the churches of the Rivne Eparchy of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church regarding their affiliation. This was reported by the secretary of the eparchy, Archpriest Viktor Zemliany, at the eparchial meeting on June 13, 2025, as stated on the website rivne.church.ua.
During the meeting at the St. George's Metochion in Rivne, Archpriest Viktor Zemliany commented on the situation in connection with the official order of the Rivne Regional Council regarding inspections of UOC parishes.
The eparchial council drafted an official appeal to the chairman of the regional council, outlining the eparchy's position on the actions of the authorities. According to the clergy, they can be regarded as interference in the activities of a religious organization.
The text of this appeal is to be published soon by the eparchial press service.
Archbishop Pimen, in turn, emphasized the "necessity of a high level of discipline" among the clergy and monastics of the eparchy.
He stressed that "in the conditions of public pressure and challenges faced by the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, pastors must be examples of responsibility, fidelity to canonical order, and sacrificial service".
Earlier, teh UOJ reported that DESS began an inspection of the Kyiv Metropolis of the UOC for ties with the RF on May 20.
According to Resolution No. 543, DESS is authorized to conduct investigations of religious organizations both on its own initiative and upon requests from government bodies, local authorities, civic associations, and others.
Read also
SBU names UOC priest’s wife a suspect in Cherkasy region
The SBU accused Matushka Kateryna Prykotenko of “spreading enemy propaganda” through correspondence with parishioners.
UGCC cleric calls Russian Orthodox literature dangerous for clergy
While examining the causes of divisions within the UGCC, Yustyn Boiko concluded that Russian Orthodox literature had influenced Greek Catholic clergy.
UOC will play major role in achieving peace, says Vadym Novynskyi
UOC Protodeacon Vadym Novynskyi believes the Church will help bring about reconciliation within Ukrainian society after the war ends.
Catholic media outraged by forcible conscription of Uniate cleric
The Vatican’s Apostolic Nunciature has demanded the return of a forcibly mobilized Greek Catholic cleric.
Rivne court fines man for criticizing parish's "transfer" to OCU
A resident of the Rivne region was convicted over Facebook posts criticizing the “transfer” of a religious community in the village of Butove to the OCU.
Novynskyi: I quoted the Gospel to Zelensky on first day of war
The former Ukrainian MP said he advised Davyd Arakhamia to begin negotiations with Russia in the first days of the full-scale war and later spoke with Volodymyr Zelensky.