Archbishop of Izium consecrates a new UOC church in Oleksiivka

Consecration of the church in Oleksiivka. Photo: Izium Eparchy
On 20 November 2025, in the village of Oleksiivka in the Kharkiv region, the ruling hierarch of the Izium Eparchy, Archbishop Ioann of Izium and Kupiansk, celebrated the Divine Liturgy and presided over the consecration of the lower chapel dedicated to St. Luke. The Izium Diocesan Press Service reported the event.
Concelebrating with the archbishop were the diocesan secretary, the local dean, the abbot of the Holy-Pishchansky Monastery of Izium, the sacristan of the cathedral, the rector of the church, as well as invited clergy. Before the start of the Liturgy, the rite of consecration of the church was performed, after which the archpastor lifted prayers for peace in Ukraine, for the soldiers, and for all in need.
This event became an important milestone in the religious life of the local community, gathering parishioners, clergy, and numerous guests. The chapel is dedicated to St. Luke, Archbishop of Crimea, who is revered among Orthodox believers for his steadfast confession of the faith and his sacrificial service to the Church. The archbishop also emphasized the role of benefactors and expressed gratitude to the parishioners for their labors in building the church.
As previously reported by the UOJ, the Pochaiv Lavra commemorated Venerable Job.
Read also
Zelensky says 9.5M Ukrainians expected to return home from abroad
Zelensky stated that 9.5 million Ukrainians who left abroad are expected to return home to rebuild the country.
German theologian criticizes Ukrainian authorities' pressure on UOC
German theologian Regina Elsner has said that pressure from the authorities on the Ukrainian Orthodox Church places an additional heavy burden on believers during the war.
Poland bans entry to Lviv official over SS Galicia and UPA glorification
Polish Foreign Minister initiates entry ban on Lviv Regional Council deputy who proposed declaring 2027 the Year of the UPA.
OCU award winners stage provocations at UOC court hearings, media report
Rallies outside courts hearing UOC cases are organized by activists who received awards from Dumenko.
Khust Eparchy priest who shot people in Vyshkovo banned from ministry
The Khust Eparchy of the UOC has notified police that it has banned from ministry a priest suspected of killing three people in Vyshkovo, Transcarpathia.
Metropolitan Onuphry congratulates Georgia on 1,700 years of Christianity
The Primate of the UOC sent a message to Patriarch Shio III on the anniversary of Christianity becoming the state religion in Georgia.