In Kyiv, OCU “priest” lights a menorah near his church

OCU “priest” Oleh Sknar lights a Jewish menorah together with a rabbi. Photo: Moshe Reuven Asman

On December 15, 2025, a Jewish Hanukkah menorah was lit near the Intercession Church of the OCU on the grounds of a military hospital in Kyiv, Ukraine’s Chief Rabbi Moshe Reuven Asman reported.

The lighting ceremony was conducted by the rector of the Intercession Church and OCU chaplain Oleh Sknar. As the rabbi noted, the event has been held on the hospital grounds for the third consecutive year. “This has already become something of a tradition – a symbol of support and gratitude to all those who are defending Ukraine at the cost of their health,” Asman said.

The Intercession Church previously belonged to the Ukrainian Orthodox Church. Immediately after the establishment of the OCU in 2019, Sknar organized a vote to transfer the parish to the new structure.

Earlier, the UOJ reported that an OCU cleric lit a Jewish menorah together with Ukraine’s Chief Rabbi.

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