Attempted seizure at Pochaiv Lavra
In Pochaiv, seminarians push back the attackers. Photo: UOJ
On October 8, 2025, unidentified persons attempted to seize the Economic Building of the Pochaiv Lavra, sources in the monastery told the UOJ. With support from accomplices, the attackers used an angle grinder to cut the locks on the gates and tried to enter the premises. Thanks to the timely response of the seminarians, the attempted breach was stopped.
The seminarians blocked the intruders and managed to push them back beyond the gates. According to Lavra sources, the attackers left the scene but threatened to return with reinforcements.
According to Pershyi Kozatskyi (“First Cossack”), among the attackers were seen the head of the Kremenets branch of the SBU, Serhii Zasiadko, and the head of the Kremenets–Pochaiv Reserve, Vasyl Ilchyshyn.
The brethren and faithful are asking for support and prayers.
Earlier, the UOJ reported that the SBU and police conducted searches at the Pochaiv Lavra.
Read also
Buddhist monks chant mantras in Italian Roman Catholic church
Buddhist monks performed a memorial ritual at the ambo of a Catholic parish in Como.
UOC-KP re-admits former OCU cleric who married abbess
Fomenko had previously defected from the OCU to the UOC-KP, but Filaret expelled him.
MP: Unfortunately, not all Local Churches recognize OCU
The deputy named the reasons why a number of Local Churches do not recognize the structure of Epifaniy Dumenko.
DESS files lawsuit against UOC Rovenky Eparchy
A hearing on the DESS lawsuit seeking to terminate the activities of the Rovenky Eparchy has been scheduled for September 30.
UOC parishioners in Dzhuryn build new church to replace one taken by OCU
A UOC community in Vinnytsia Region consecrated a new Church of the Protection of the Most Holy Theotokos after losing its former place of worship in 2023.
OCU eparchy says 90% of “transferred” communities were left without priests
The OCU Khmelnytskyi Eparchy acknowledged that only 10% of communities that “transferred” from the UOC joined the new structure together with their rectors.