After Chernivtsi mass brawl, Ukraine urges Romanian Church to recognize OCU
Ambassador of Ukraine to Romania Ihor Prokopchuk. Photo: Saul Pop
On June 26, 2025, the Ambassador of Ukraine to Romania, Ihor Prokopchuk, demanded full recognition of the OCU by the Romanian Orthodox Church, stating that it "would strengthen relations and trust between the nations of our countries," reports the Romanian publication agerpres.
"I emphasize the paramount importance of the issue of full recognition of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine by the Romanian Orthodox Church," said Ihor Prokopchuk at a press conference.
Paradoxically, the diplomat referred to the bloodbath that OCU militants staged on June 17 during the attempted seizure of the Holy Spirit Cathedral of the UOC in Chernivtsi.
He stated that "our interest lies in ensuring that this process (of the OCU recognition by the Romanian Church - Ed.) is completed as soon as possible."
“There are no ethnic motives in this conflict, which arose between two religious organizations (…) the Orthodox Church of Ukraine and the Ukrainian Orthodox Church under the aegis of Moscow,” stated Prokopchuk, adding that many people in Bukovina “do not want to associate themselves with the Ukrainian Orthodox Church.”
The ambassador assured that Russia is interested in the OCU's attack on the UOC cathedral, as it "would increase the level of distrust between Romania and Ukraine". He promised that the authorities would "take measures to ensure that disputes in the region are resolved peacefully."
Earlier, the UOJ reported that an EP member called on Romania to condemn the violence against priests in Chernivtsi.
Read also
Political expert: Declaring January 7 as Programmer’s Day resembles mockery
Kostiantyn Bondarenko commented on President Volodymyr Zelensky’s decision to designate a new professional holiday on the day when Christmas is celebrated.
Cherkasy court accuses Metropolitan Theodosiy of “improper sermon”
At another court hearing in the case of Metropolitan Theodosiy, an expert attempted to argue that there had been no violent seizure of the monastery in Cherkasy and that the alleged crime was committed by the Cherkasy hierarch through an “improper” sermon.
Catherine Whiteford discusses defense of UOC with Congressman Riley Moore
An American political figure spoke about a meeting that addressed the protection of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church and freedom of religion.
7-meter didukh to replace Christmas tree installed on Maidan
According to KSCA representatives, "the didukh, unlike the borrowed Christmas tree, is a traditional pre-Christian symbol of ancient Ukrainians".
Patriarch of Bulgaria: OCU will not take part in services at Phanar
The Bulgarian Patriarch emphasized that the OCU is not mentioned in the diptychs of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church and will not participate in joint services at the Phanar.
SBU shows what to do with those who celebrate Christmas on January 7
The video of the SBU features its employees breaking down the apartment doors with the comment: "Who comes 'caroling' to those who celebrate Christmas on January 7."