On June 21, OCU plans to seize St. Nicholas Church in Bukovynian village
St. Nicholas Church of the UOC in Kobolchyn. Photo: Chernivtsi Eparchy
Today, June 21, 2025, the notorious raider Roman Hryshchuk, along with other followers of the OCU, is planning to seize the St. Nicholas Church of the UOC in the village of Kobolchyn, Sokyriany urban community, Dnistrovskyi district of the Chernivtsi region, a UOJ correspondent reports.
A meeting is scheduled for 5:00 p.m. at which they intend to "transfer" the religious community into Epifaniy Dumenko's structure.
Believers told the UOJ that Hryshchuk had previously held an illegal gathering, but at that time, the parishioners were able to defend their church.
Afterward, a local resident allowed the OCU supporters to use her café, but soon expelled them. This prompted Hryshchuk and his group to renew their attempts to take over the Orthodox sanctuary.
The rector of the church, Archpriest Serhii Dudka, together with the faithful, is appealing for prayers and support.
As previously reported by the UOJ, Hryshchuk had called UOC believers in Chernivtsi “zombies” and openly called for their elimination.
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