In Heletyntsi, UOC hierarch leads patronal feast of persecuted community
UOC parish in honor of St. Mary Magdalene, Equal-to-the-Apostles, in Heletyntsi. Photo: Khmelnytskyi Eparchy
On August 4, 2025, on the feast day of the parish of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church dedicated to St. Mary Magdalene, Equal-to-the-Apostles, Metropolitan Victor of Khmelnytskyi and Starokostiantyniv celebrated the Divine Liturgy in the village of Heletyntsi, Khmelnytskyi district, the eparchial press service reports.
Since the seizure of their church by OCU supporters in 2022, the religious community has been gathering for worship in a village house adapted for use as a church. This year, the festive service was held outdoors.
Metropolitan Viktor was concelebrated by Archpriest Oleksandr Rybchynskyi, Secretary of the Eparchy; Archpriest Viktor Onofreichuk, Dean of the Khmelnytskyi District Deanery; Archpriest Oleksandr Kostenko, Rector of the parish; and other local clergy.
During the service, prayers were offered for Ukraine’s defenders, for peace on Ukrainian soil, and for all those affected by the war.
Following the Liturgy, clergy and faithful held a cross procession around the makeshift church building.
The hierarch addressed the faithful with a homily and thanked everyone for their shared prayers.
On the occasion of the patronal feast, Metropolitan Victor awarded the parish of St. Mary Magdalene with an Archpastoral Certificate of Recognition.
As previously reported by the UOJ, in Zabolottia, a hierarch of the Chernivtsi Eparchy celebrated the parish feast together with another persecuted UOC community.
Read also
Bancheny Monastery reports provocation
The UOC monastery in Bancheny has reported a provocation by unidentified individuals.
Romanian Church to hold joint prayer for peace in Ukraine
On the fourth anniversary of the beginning of the war in Ukraine, special prayers for an end to the hostility will be offered in all churches of the Romanian Patriarchate, both in the country and abroad.
Armenian bishops call on authorities to stop Church persecution
At a meeting in Austria, hierarchs of the Armenian Apostolic Church reaffirmed their faithfulness to Catholicos Karekin II of All Armenians and called on the authorities to stop the persecution of the clergy.
Italian media: Ukrainian authorities persecute the country’s largest confession
The Italian outlet L’Identità reported on mass searches, the arrests of clergy, and the ban on the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, which it describes as the largest Church in Ukraine.
Festival marking Orthodox Youth Day held in UOC's Volyn Eparchy
In Lutsk, the UOC’s annual youth forum brought together parish groups, clergy, and participants in a creative program for Orthodox Youth Day.
London mayor switches on festive Ramadan lights
In London, the Muslim mayor inaugurated Ramadan illuminations: a central street was decorated with a “Happy Ramadan” sign and Islamic-style ornaments.