Supporters of OCU seize UOC church in Bukovynian Kerstentsi

In Kerstentsi, supporters of the OCU are trying to break into the Transfiguration Church. Photo: The faithful of the Chernivtsi-Bukovyna Eparchy of the UOC

On September 29, 2025, in the village of Kerstentsi of the Khotyn Deanery of the Chernivtsi Eparchy, there was a seizure of the Transfiguration Church of the UOC. According to eyewitnesses, the seizure involved supporters of the OCU led by Roman Hryshchuk, who was accompanied by chaplains and police officers. Law enforcement also blocked the entrance to the village.

This is not the first attempt to seize the church. The previous one took place in early August, on the eve of the new-style Transfiguration.

Meetings of the OCU regarding a change of church jurisdiction were repeatedly postponed due to low attendance. The first meeting on February 28 gathered about 30 people, which the organizers considered insufficient. At the next attempt, even fewer attended — around 25 people. The last meeting took place on March 23, and according to local residents, coercion, threats of mobilization through the Territorial Recruitment Center, and bribery were used to attract participants. Despite this, attendance reached about 40 people.

Earlier, the UOJ reported that on February 28, 2025, the parishioners of the church, led by Rector Archpriest Volodymyr Tymofeev, held a vote on their church affiliation. Two hundred fifty parishioners voted to remain in the Ukrainian Orthodox Church under His Beatitude Metropolitan Onuphry. Not a single person voted against.

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