UOC faithful expel raiders from cathedral in Chernivtsi

UOC believers inside the cathedral in Chernivtsi. Photo: Screenshot from video

On June 17, 2025, after hours of confrontation, the faithful of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church successfully defended the Cathedral of the Holy Spirit in Chernivtsi from seizure by radicals affiliated with the OCU.

Following negotiations with police, the peaceful parishioners agreed to form a "corridor" to allow the attackers to exit the premises without further violence. As a result, police escorted the group of militants off the church grounds.

As the radicals departed, believers chanted “Shame!” to express their outrage at the actions of the attackers and their enablers.

The group of radicals was led to police buses, boarded them, and was removed from the cathedral grounds. Police left the premises alongside the raiders.

The Cathedral of the Holy Spirit is once again in the hands of its canonical community. Believers have gathered in prayer, giving thanks to God for the protection of their holy sanctuary.

It is worth noting that over 1,000 parishioners arrived within the hour to defend the cathedral.

The UOJ previously reported on the attempted takeover of the Cathedral of the Holy Spirit in Chernivtsi.

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