UOC faithful break through to cathedral grounds in Chernivtsi

UOC believers breach cathedral perimeter in Chernivtsi. Photo: video screenshot
On June 17, 2025, after hours of confrontation, faithful of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church broke through to the grounds of the Holy Spirit Cathedral in Chernivtsi, which had earlier been seized by OCU radicals.
According to reports from the scene, the laity literally broke through the barricades in order to reach their sacred site. Despite resistance from police attempting to hold back the crowd, law enforcement was unable to stop them.
Video footage shows believers pushing out the militants who had blocked the church and reclaiming control of the territory for the UOC.
However, police continue to act on the side of the raiders, assaulting believers with batons and using tear gas against them.
The UOJ previously reported that the Holy Spirit Cathedral in Chernivtsi was under attack by OCU supporters.
Read also
Medieval сhurch сrumbles as Culture Ministry сites missing agreement
The 14th–15th-century St. Nicholas Church in Chesnyky, Ivano-Frankivsk Region, is falling into disrepair.
Poland сondemns Lviv Regional Council's decision to declare 2007 year of UPA
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk says the Lviv Regional Council's decision to dedicate 2027 to the UPA and Roman Shukhevych is harmful to Ukraine.
OCU seeks court recognition of ownership of seized Cherkasy cathedral
The Cherkasy Regional Commercial Court will hear an OCU lawsuit seeking ownership of St. Michael's Cathedral, which was seized from UOC believers.
Lithuanian bishop: Ukraine is no model for believers' rights
Vicar of Vilnius Diocese voices concern over attempts to import Ukraine's religious conflict into Lithuania.
Hundreds of believers honor St. Alexis of Carpatho-Russia in Khust Eparchy
At the St. Nicholas Monastery in the village of Iza-Karputlash, Metropolitan Mark of Khust led a festive liturgy, concelebrated by six metropolitans, five archbishops and three bishops.
Court upholds UOC parish appeal in Voloshky over OCU switch dispute
The Northern Commercial Court of Appeal has upheld the appeal of the St. Nicholas parish of the UOC in the village of Voloshky, Volyn region, in a dispute over a transfer to the OCU.