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

DESS expert tells US State Department reps about religious freedom in Ukraine

Andriy Smirnov held a meeting with staff of the US State Department's Office of International Religious Freedom.

Eight people killed in drone strike on monastery in Ethiopia

Two nuns and six priests were killed in the strike on the monastery; several more people were seriously injured.

Church commemorates St. Seraphim of Sarov

The venerable saint began his path of asceticism after a pilgrimage to the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra and prayer before the Caves saints.

DESS responds to statements by UOC lawyers

Yelensky’s agency claimed that the UOC’s lawyers are “discrediting” Ukraine’s leadership and spreading “disinformation.”

Lawyers collect statements from faithful to defend Kyiv Metropolia in court

UOC lawyers have prepared a procedure enabling clergy and laypeople to take part in the court proceedings over the DESS lawsuit.

UOC faithful make pilgrimage to Georgia’s holy sites

The pilgrims visited churches and monasteries in Tbilisi, Mtskheta, Kutaisi, and at the foot of Mount Kazbek.