Media on Chernivtsi church raids: Time for Patriarch Bartholomew to intervene

Yevstratiy Zoria, Epifaniy Dumenko, and Patriarch Bartholomew. Photo: pomisna.info

On June 19, 2025, OrthodoxTimes.com, a media outlet known for its consistent support of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, published an extensive article on the seizure of the UOC’s Holy Spirit Cathedral in Chernivtsi by representatives of the OCU.

In addition to reporting on the seizure itself, the article addresses the current deadlock in Orthodox church life in Ukraine, “despite Patriarch Bartholomew’s efforts to unite Ukrainians under the roof of an autocephalous church.”

According to Orthodox Times, “hooligan groups come, expel the faithful and priests from the churches, lock the doors, and leave the temples shuttered. There are neither believers from the OCU nor priests to perform services there.” 

In the authors’ view, the OCU is losing public trust, despite strong state support. Moreover, the methods employed by Yevstratiy Zoria, the article claims, are not effective. The very fact that the seized churches now stand empty is presented as evidence of the OCU’s failed “mission.”

"The ongoing seizure of churches only results in locked, unused churches and failure to convince the wider world," the outlet notes.

According to inside sources, some OCU clergy privately endorse these raider-style tactics but refrain from public comments.

This, the article states, damages the entire mission of the Church and undermines the Orthodox witness in the country.

The outlet also stresses that, contrary to Constantinople’s expectations, no mass transition of UOC faithful to the OCU has occurred, and unification efforts have faltered – “much to the satisfaction of Ukraine’s northern neighbors.”

In conclusion, Orthodox Times writes: “The paradox – often misunderstood by other Orthodox Churches – is why, amid a brutal war against Russia, Ukrainians continue to fight among themselves. This division reveals the deep fractures within Ukraine’s Orthodox community.”

“Perhaps it is time for the Ecumenical Patriarchate to take decisive steps to ease the situation, as increasing numbers of people begin to blame the Phanar and Patriarch Bartholomew personally for the ongoing division and lack of unity in Ukrainian Orthodoxy,” the publication concludes.

Earlier, the UOJ reported that a pro-Constantinople media outlet had covered the seizure of the cathedral in Chernivtsi.

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