OCU “bishop” calls subordinates to join in seizure of Chernivtsi Cathedral

Epifaniy Dumenko and Feognost Bodoriak. Photo: mi100.info

On June 17, 2025, “Bishop” of the Chernivtsi and Bukovyna Diocese of the OCU, Feognost Bodoriak, called on his subordinates to take part in the seizure of the Holy Spirit Cathedral of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC), the cathedral church of the diocese.

In a correspondence with the “priests” of his organization, obtained by the Union of Orthodox Journalists, Feognost referred to the seizure of the UOC cathedral as a “historic event”:

“Fathers, a historic event has taken place: we are inside the Holy Spirit Cathedral,” he wrote.

The “hierarch” emphasized that “today it is absolutely necessary to come to the city immediately and gather with the parishioners in support at the cathedral!”

“This is not open for discussion. We plan to stay here even through the night. Fathers, I ask you to take this seriously – I’m expecting everyone,” Bodoriak wrote, appointing regional “dean” Ya. Vovkovych as the coordinator.

Earlier, the UOJ reported that Metropolitan Meletiy of Chernivtsi and Bukovyna (UOC) had appealed to Patriarch Bartholomew and Epifaniy.

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