OCU raiders break ribs of UOC priest in Chernivtsi
Medical workers hospitalize UOC priest. Photo: Screenshot from t.me/orthobuk
On June 17, 2025, during the violent seizure of the Cathedral of the Holy Spirit in Chernivtsi, supporters of the OCU inflicted serious bodily harm on a clergyman of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church – Archpriest Vitaliy Honcharuk.
According to preliminary reports, Fr. Vitaliy sustained broken ribs and is suspected to have internal injuries. He was urgently hospitalized.
Eyewitnesses say the priest was savagely beaten right on the grounds of the cathedral as he attempted to protect the holy site from the raiders.
As the UOJ previously reported, the Holy Spirit Cathedral in Chernivtsi is currently under assault.
Read also
Hearing in Lower Lavra case postponed again due to judge’s illness
The session of the Northern Commercial Court of Appeal was scheduled for March 5, 2026.
Greek MP: Those who beat priests in Ukraine serve the devil
Greek politician and cardiac surgeon Nikos Papadopoulos, leader of the Greek Pulse party, condemned the persecution of Orthodox clergy in Ukraine.
OIDAC Europe report includes attack on Sviatohirsk Lavra
The international human-rights organization OIDAC Europe mentioned an attack on the Sviatohirsk Lavra in its report on hate crimes against Christians in Europe.
Hate crimes against Christians on the rise in Europe, report says
The Observatory on Intolerance and Discrimination against Christians in Europe reported 39 incidents targeting believers, churches, and religious symbols.
British Christians oppose idea of dresses for boys at school
Christian organizations have criticized a statement by the UK’s education minister suggesting that boys should be allowed to express their gender identity in primary school.
European Parliament hosts gender-identity class for schoolchildren
A session on gender identity was held in the European Parliament building for children aged 12–13 – participation was mandatory, and parents had no option to refuse.