OCU seizes Intercession Church of UOC’s Balta Eparchy in Myrony village

Voting of local residents in the village of Myrony regarding the fate of the UOC parish. Photo: OCU

On 13 December 2025, in the village of Myrony in the Balta territorial community of Podilsk District, Odesa Region, supporters of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine (OCU) announced the “transfer” of the Intercession parish from the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC) to their jurisdiction. Following this, the church came under the control of representatives of the OCU, an SPZh correspondent reports.

According to a statement by the OCU, a meeting was held that day at which a decision was made to change the parish’s affiliation and to appoint a new acting rector. Representatives of the Odesa Eparchy of the OCU took part in the event.

At the same time, the Balta Eparchy of the UOC told the UOJ that the information disseminated by the OCU does not correspond to reality. According to diocesan representatives, the canonical UOC community was not present at the “meeting,” the faithful were not notified of it, and decisions were taken without the participation of parishioners.

The diocese emphasized that the rector of the Intercession Church, Archpriest Feodor Zubriy, consistently supported his flock, prayed for Ukrainian soldiers, provided assistance to people, and purchased church furnishings for the parish with his own funds. Claims by the OCU that he refused to pray for the military, the diocese said, have no basis.

The Balta Eparchy also noted that representatives of the OCU and a new rector, prepared in advance for appointment to the parish, were present on site, after which the church was effectively taken from the UOC community.

As of now, the Intercession Church in the village of Myrony remains under the control of the OCU.

Earlier, the UOJ reported that the OCU in Tomashpil is demanding access to a church belonging to the UOC.

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