Panka persecuted UOC community celebrates patronal feast in a house church
After the Divine Liturgy, a procession took place around the house church. Photo: UOJ
On November 5, 2025, the persecuted community of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church in the village of Panka, Storozhynets Deanery, prayerfully celebrated its patronal feast in a house church dedicated to Saint Demetrius of Thessaloniki.
Despite the loss of their temple and pressure from supporters of the OCU, the faithful gathered to glorify their heavenly protector. The festive service was led by the parish rector, concelebrated by the clergy of the deanery. Many believers came to support the community that has remained loyal to the canonical Church.
After the Divine Liturgy, a procession with icons and banners was held around the house church. The faithful offered prayers to Saint Demetrius, asking the Lord for peace, protection, and strength in faith. Despite hardships, the community continues to hold services and preserve its vibrant church life.
It should be recalled that on April 5, 2025, in the village of Panka, Chernivtsi region, representatives of the OCU, supported by a group of raiders who had no connection to the village or the local parish, carried out a violent seizure of the UOC’s Church of Saint Demetrius.
Earlier, the UOJ reported that the Vyshhorod clergy had expressed support for the persecuted UOC community in Novosilky.
Read also
UOC Social Department in Kyiv supports 100 displaced families
In Kyiv, the UOC Social Department handed over humanitarian aid packages to 100 families of forcibly displaced persons.
Serbian authorities okay creation of university jointly with Serbian Church
The Serbian government has approved a memorandum on cooperation with the Serbian Orthodox Church for the establishment of the Saint Sava University.
DESS discusses mobilization of clergy with UCCRO
The head of DESS, Viktor Yelensky, informed representatives of religious organizations about new rules for reserving clergy from mobilization.
OCU holds synod in Lavra residence seized from Metropolitan Onufriy
The structure led by Epifaniy Dumenko used for its meeting premises where the Holy Synod of the UOC had previously convened.
Monastic tonsures performedI in Dnipro’s Tykhvin Convent
At the convent of the Dnipropetrovsk Eparchy of the UOC, three nuns received the great schema, while another novice was tonsured into the rassophore.
OCU holds religious event at grave of late UOC primate in Kyiv Lavra
Dumenko and his associates staged a prayer event at the grave of His Beatitude Metropolitan Volodymyr.