Persecuted UOC community in Malyi Kuchuriv marks its patronal feast

Patronal feast in the village of Malyi Kuchuriv. Photo: UOJ

On December 19, 2025, in the village of Malyi Kuchuriv of the Zastavna Deanery of the Chernivtsi–Bukovyna Eparchy, the persecuted community of the Church of St. Nicholas of Myra in Lycia, headed by Archpriest Roman Kantemir, celebrated its patronal feast, a UOJ correspondent reports. The rector was concelebrated by visiting clergy.

After the Divine Liturgy, pupils of the parish Sunday school gave a concert in honor of the patronal feast. Following the performance, the rector congratulated the parishioners and guests on the feast day of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker.

Recall that the Church of St. Nicholas in the village of Malyi Kuchuriv was seized by OCU activists on January 5, 2024. Raiders wearing balaclavas first broke open the gates of the church fence with a crowbar and cordoned off the church grounds. They then forced open the church doors and took control of the building. Since that time, the St. Nicholas community of the UOC has been praying in a house church.

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