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.
Read also
Petition to transfer Odesa school building to Catholics gains 25,000 signatures
The Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine is now required to consider returning the former school and seminary building in Odesa to the Catholic Church.
Vatican bans German bishops from allowing laypeople to preach at Mass
The Vatican rejected a request by German Catholics to allow laypeople to preach at Mass, recalling the inseparable link between preaching and holy orders.
Sumy Eparchy of UOC donates UAH 1.25 million in aid to children with cancer
The faithful and clergy of the Sumy region purchased an expensive neuromyograph and vital medications for the regional children’s hospital.
Odesa Eparchy: OCU used private security guards to seize UOC church
Supporters of the OCU, backed by a private security agency, forcibly occupied a UOC church in Odesa, assaulting parishioners and clergy.
Archons: Russian Church patriarch attacked privileges of our patriarchate
The Archons of the Phanar have claimed that the Russian Orthodox Church is waging a systematic “disinformation war” against Constantinople "so as to further Russia’s global political ambitions."