OCU raiders “re-register” UOC church while its rector was in hospital

The Transfiguration Church of the UOC in Cherkasy. Photo: Pershyi Kozatskyi

On October 8, 2025, the Transfiguration Church of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, located in the Dakhnivka district of Cherkasy, was illegally re-registered. This was reported by the Dozor Telegram channel.

According to sources, the registration was carried out without any decision by the religious community and even without a formal parish meeting. Representatives of the OCU allegedly submitted falsified documents to the state registrar, on the basis of which the church was entered into the register as belonging to the new structure.

Particular outrage among the faithful was caused by the fact that the re-registration took place during the illness of the church’s rector, Fr. Anatolii Chertopolokh, who is currently undergoing treatment. Parishioners are convinced that the absence of the rector was deliberately exploited to carry out the unlawful actions.

The parish also hosts the Martha-and-Mary Sisterhood, which engages in charitable work and assists those in need. Believers fear that following the re-registration, the church’s long-standing social ministry may also be jeopardized.

Earlier, the UOJ reported that in Volodymyr, the UOC was deprived of the cathedral and eparchial administration buildings.

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