Greek media: Ukrainian authorities obstructed UOC pilgrimage to Pochaiv

Procession of UOC believers to the Pochaiv Lavra. August 2025. Photo: Romfea

On August 28, 2025, the leading Greek Orthodox outlet Romfea published an article on the traditional pilgrimage of believers of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church from Kamianets-Podilskyi to the Pochaiv Lavra, which concluded on August 25. According to the report, Ukrainian authorities and security services attempted to obstruct the pilgrimage.

The publication noted that every year thousands of UOC faithful walk more than 200 kilometers in order to celebrate the Feast of the Dormition of the Most Holy Theotokos on August 28. In 2024, the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) and police had already tried to disrupt the procession by blocking roads and forbidding overnight stays for the pilgrims. Despite this, more than 20,000 people participated in last year’s pilgrimage.

“This year as well, as photographs and videos show, participation was no less massive. In the Pochaiv Lavra, pilgrims were met by hundreds of believers who knelt before icons and crosses. It should be noted that, as in the previous year, the authorities attempted to hinder the litany,” Romfea reported.

The article also highlighted that particular pressure was directed against men of conscription age and clergy. On August 25, local authorities forcibly mobilized UOC clerics who had arrived in Pochaiv together with the pilgrims. In particular, Protopriest Bohdan Matveyev of the Kremenchuk Eparchy, a father of five children, one of whom is already serving at the front, was conscripted. He was sent to a training camp in Rivne, while his wife appealed for prayerful and legal support.

Earlier, the UOJ reported that media outlets had covered the detention by the Territorial Recruitment Center of a driver transporting pilgrims from Pochaiv.

Read also