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.

Read also

Iranian authorities accuse protesters of setting fire to 350 mosques

According to the head of Iran's Foreign Ministry, the arson attacks on mosques indicate the organized and externally supported nature of the riots.

Romanian Patriarchate opposes prostitution legalization in country

The Church noted that Holy Scripture and Orthodox Tradition consistently testify to the incompatibility of prostitution with spiritual life.

Poroshenko calls to cancel elections and focus on "language and faith"

The former president stated that an election campaign is unacceptable until the end of the war and proposed focusing the state's efforts on ideological priorities.

SBU confirms use of UOC hierarchs as "prisoner exchange fund"

The Security Service stated that UOC clergy were involved in exchanges when returning citizens from Russian captivity.

Report: 2,000 Christians killed and 3,000 attacked worldwide over two years

The report mentions the situation of Christians in Ukraine: it records the destruction of churches and threats to religious freedom.

U.S. Congresswoman appeals to Vatican over UOC persecution

The legislator linked appeals to the Vatican with complaints about UOC persecution and stated that US taxpayers' money should not be directed to a government that persecutes Christians.