Zhytomyr RSA reports on re-registration of 16 UOC churches to OCU
Zhytomyr Regional Military Administration emblem. Photo from open sources
On August 18, 2025, the Zhytomyr RMA announced the re-registration of 16 UOC communities in favor of the OCU in 2025, reports the resource «Suspilne. Zhytomyr».
The publication specifies that on the air of “Ukrainian Radio Zhytomyr,” the information about re-registrations was provided by Oleksandr Pyvovarsky, the chief specialist of the Department for the Protection of Cultural Heritage and Religions of the Zhytomyr Regional State Administration. According to him, since 2019, the administration has re-registered 134 communities of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church.
"The trend is as follows: in 2019, there were 13 transitions, in 2020 – 8, in 2021 – 1, in 2022 – 36, in 2023 – 41, in 2024 – 19, and in 2025 as of August – 16 transitions. But in reality, there have been many more transitions. The fact is that there are two types of transitions. One type of transition, which is reflected in this statistic, is when there is a change of denomination, the transition of a UOC parish in spiritual communion with the Moscow Patriarchate to the OCU," the official noted.
It was previously reported that more than half of Ukrainian citizens do not support interference in the internal life of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church. This is evidenced by the results of a sociological study conducted by the SOCIS Center in June 2025.
Earlier, the UOJ reported that the Chernihiv RSA reported the seizure of 37 UOC churches in favor of the OCU.
Read also
Court hearing on eviction of monks from Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra postponed
The judge in the case on evicting monks from the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra went on sick leave an hour before the hearing.
Cherkasy court postpones hearing in Metropolitan Theodosiy case over illness
The court postponed the hearing due to the health condition of the archbishop, who remains under treatment; the issue of preventive measures will be considered on December 26.
Capitol rally gives hope persecution of UOC may subside, analyst says
Bondarenko believes that American activists and Church representatives have once again managed to draw the attention of politicians and the public to the UOC persecution.
Congresswoman urges colleagues not to stay silent about Christians persecution
An American legislator made a statement on social media condemning the silence on cases of pressure on believers and demanding that colleagues openly defend religious freedom.
Patriarch Porfirije supports Serbian students and schoolchildren in Croatia
The Primate of the Serbian Church is one of the largest sponsors of scholarships for Orthodox students in Croatia.
Law banning LGBT propaganda approved in Kazakhstan
The document introduces a ban on the dissemination of LGBT propaganda in the media, the Internet, and public spaces, and is aimed at protecting children and adolescents.