EP reported severe beating of UOC priests by militants in Chernivtsi
European Parliamentarian Luis Lazarus. Photo: Lazarus's Facebook
On June 18, 2025, Romanian MEP Luis Lazarus, speaking in the European Parliament, criticized the beating of priests of the Holy Spirit Cathedral (UOC) in Chernivtsi by militants. In his speech, he stressed that the clergy of Romanian origin were affected.
"Mr. President, Madam Commissioner, dear colleagues, yesterday in Chernivtsi, Ukraine, priests, Orthodox priests of the Romanian community, were beaten. Last year, Metropolitan Longin was beaten, and he has been dragged through sham trials for years. The Romanian minority has always been oppressed in Ukraine," the parliamentarian stated.
He stressed that Ukraine aspires to join the EU but at the same time violates human rights.
"We constantly talk about LGBT minorities, but we do not talk about such an important minority as the Romanian one– over half a million people from Ukraine," Lazarus stated.
In comments on Facebook, the deputy criticized the talks about Ukraine's admission to the EU. "Isn't it enough how foolishly they behave with our Romanians there?" he wrote.
Earlier, the UOJ wrote that the Romanian media widely reported about the attempted seizure of the Chernivtsi cathedral.
Read also
Upper Lavra court hearing postponed
The next court hearing in the Upper Lavra case has been scheduled for November 3.
UOC priest blesses ambulances at Kamianske medical center
A UOC priest in Kamianske blessed ambulances for a medical facility and wished its doctors God's help in their work.
Dumenko to German ambassador: Law targeting UOC also applies to other groups
Epifaniy Dumenko sought to defend Ukraine’s law restricting religious organizations during a meeting with the German ambassador.
Activists bused to court hearings in UOC cases, media say
A minibus has been spotted transporting protesters to and from courthouses where UOC cases are being heard.
Firefighters save historic UOC church from fire in Zakarpattia
A fire broke out at a UOC church in the Tiachiv district, damaging the altar and church furnishings.
Volyn Eparchy faithful collect six tons of aid for Sviatohirsk Lavra
Believers in Volyn collected food and warm clothing for people displaced by the war who have found shelter at Sviatohirsk Lavra.