In Mnishyn, a new сhurch consecrated to replace one seized by OCU

Consecration of the Church of St. Volodymyr in the village of Mnishyn. Photo: Rivne Eparchy

On July 28, 2025, the feast of the Holy Equal-to-the-Apostles Prince Volodymyr and in commemoration of the Baptism of Kyivan Rus’, Archbishop Pimen of Rivne and Ostroh performed the rite of consecration of the newly built Church of St. Volodymyr in the village of Mnishyn, part of the Hoshcha deanery. According to the press service of the Rivne Eparchy, the church was built to replace the one seized in 2019 by representatives of the OCU.

The new church was constructed over six years through the efforts of the rector, Archpriest Volodymyr Furmanchuk, parishioners, and benefactors. The religious community expressed special gratitude to Andrii Vasylovych Byba for his constant support and assistance.

Following the consecration of the altar, the ruling hierarch of the Rivne Eparchy led the Divine Liturgy in the church. Archbishop Pimen was concelebrated by Archpriest Viktor Zemlianyi, secretary of the eparchy; Archpriest Mykhailo Petrov, dean of the Hoshcha district; and clergy from across the Rivne region.

During the service, special prayers were offered for peace in Ukraine, for the health and well-being of soldiers, and for the repose of the souls of fallen defenders, whose memory was honored across the country that day.

At the conclusion of the Liturgy, Archbishop Pimen thanked everyone for their faithfulness, perseverance, and love for the Church of Christ.

The celebration concluded with a religious procession around the newly built church.

Let us recall: on March 24, 2019, representatives of the OCU and activists from the "Right Sector" attempted to seize the UOC’s Church of the Protection of the Mother of God in Mnishyn. They justified their actions by citing an order from the head of the local district administration calling for alternating worship services. At that time, police prevented the raiders from hanging their own locks on the church doors. However, on May 12, OCU activists assaulted parishioners and seized the church.

Since then, the UOC community had been holding services every Sunday in a small house on the church grounds. In September 2022, unknown individuals poured paint on the house where the faithful prayed, cut down the bells, and stole the candle stand.

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