Kerstentsi community holds first Liturgy in private house after seizure
A Liturgy of the persecuted community in Kerstentsi. Photo: UOJ
On October 12, 2025, the first Liturgy of the Transfiguration community of the UOC took place in Bukovynian Kerstentsi after their church was seized by OCU raiders, the community reports to the UOJ.
The Liturgy attended by 40 parishioners was held in a private house. Thus, the community was without services for about two weeks.
On September 29, 2025, supporters of the OCU, led by the notorious raider from Hlyboka, seized the Transfiguration Church. Hryshchuk was accompanied by OCU chaplains and police officers. Law enforcement blocked the entrance to the village that day.
Earlier, the UOJ wrote that on February 28, 2025, the parishioners of the church, led by the rector Archpriest Volodymyr Tymofeev, held a vote on their church affiliation. All 250 parishioners present voted to remain in the Ukrainian Orthodox Church under the leadership of His Beatitude Metropolitan Onuphry.
Read also
Serviceman of "Skelia" military regiment detained for beating chaplain
A serviceman of the Armed Forces of Ukraine beat a chaplain, breaking his jaw.
New chapel consecrated in Hlukhiv
Metropolitan Roman of Konotop and Hlukhiv performed the rite of consecration of a newly built chapel in Hlukhiv.
Ukraine launches educational series about LGBT people in Ukrainian army
The Netherlands Embassy has funded a series about LGBT people in the military.
Yelensky: Patriarch Bartholomew takes risks reaching out to Ukrainians
According to Yelensky, the Ecumenical Patriarch has proven that he is a true friend of Ukraine.
MinCulture says it never approved construction of high-rise near Lavra
A residential developer in Pechersk ignored the absence of permits and urban planning regulations.
Monk of Svitiaz Monastery of UOC parishes in the war
The Volodymyr-Volyn Eparchy expresses condolences to the brotherhood of the monastery and calls on the faithful to offer fervent prayers for the repose of the cleric.