Chernivtsi police claim they “prevented escalation” near UOC cathedral
Police guarding the raiders and blocking UOC faithful from entering their cathedral in Chernivtsi. Photo: cv.npu.gov
The Main Directorate of the National Police in the Chernivtsi region stated that on June 17, 2025, law enforcement officers “responded immediately” and “prevented further escalation of the conflict” near the Holy Spirit Cathedral of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Chernivtsi.
According to police, “a conflict arose between representatives of two religious communities over the use of the religious building.” The statement effectively refers to the armed militants who beat UOC clergy and faithful as one of the “religious communities.”
At the same time, the department reported that the Chernivtsi police had received over 10 citizen complaints, including allegations of “bodily injuries and the possible seizure of a religious building by unidentified individuals.”
The police emphasized that officers are continuing to guard the cathedral around the clock. The National Police urged citizens to abide by the law and resolve disputes “exclusively within the legal framework.”
As previously reported by the UOJ, OCU militants severely beat a UOC priest in Chernivtsi; he remains in serious condition.
Read also
Priests and laity of Rivne Eparchy donate blood for children with cancer
In Rivne, the UOC clergy and laity have donated blood for children undergoing treatment for cancer.
Kyiv seminary students meet with People’s Artist Larisa Kadochnikova
Students of Kyiv’s theological schools spoke with the legend of Ukrainian cinema, who shared her memories of filming "Shadows of Forgotten Ancestors".
Bancheny Monastery reports provocation
The UOC monastery in Bancheny has reported a provocation by unidentified individuals.
Romanian Church to hold joint prayer for peace in Ukraine
On the fourth anniversary of the beginning of the war in Ukraine, special prayers for an end to the hostility will be offered in all churches of the Romanian Patriarchate, both in the country and abroad.
Armenian bishops call on authorities to stop Church persecution
At a meeting in Austria, hierarchs of the Armenian Apostolic Church reaffirmed their faithfulness to Catholicos Karekin II of All Armenians and called on the authorities to stop the persecution of the clergy.
Italian media: Ukrainian authorities persecute the country’s largest confession
The Italian outlet L’Identità reported on mass searches, the arrests of clergy, and the ban on the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, which it describes as the largest Church in Ukraine.