Rector in Kuzmyn: I've served community for 33 years, and now become Russian?
An address by Archpriest Heorhiy Sikaliuk at the meeting in Kuzmyn. December 21, 2025 Photo: UOJ
On December 21, 2025, in the village of Kuzmyn, Khmelnytskyi district, there was a meeting where people who were not members of the religious community transferred the local Church of the Nativity of the Most Holy Theotokos of the Khmelnytskyi Eparchy to the OCU. The rector of the church, Archpriest Heorhiy Sikaliuk, addressed the attendees with a speech.
The priest pointed out that he dedicated his entire life to serving the community and the church: "I came to you in '92, I was 27. I devoted my whole life to serving this church. I baptized and married you, shared joy and sorrow with you." And despite this, "today you crucify me here and say that I am Russian?" said the rector of the church.
Father Heorhiy rejected accusations of an anti-Ukrainian stance and emphasized that the sons and grandsons of the parishioners are fighting in the Armed Forces of Ukraine. "We are not criminals. We are not Russians. We are Ukrainians with Ukrainian passports. Our parishioners are defending Ukraine," the priest emphasized.
Earlier, the UOJ wrote about the statement of the Khmelnytskyi Eparchy regarding the meeting on the transition in Kuzmyn.
Read also
TRC officers mobilize rector of UOC parish in Radisne
Archpriest Mykhailo Bilokin was detained on his way to a service in the Kamianske Eparchy, and his current whereabouts are unknown.
Metropolitan Onuphry consecrates Annunciation Church in Bukovyna village of Ostrytsia
Thousands of faithful from the Chernivtsi-Bukovyna Eparchy of the UOC gathered for the service in the newly consecrated Church of the Annunciation of the Most Holy Theotokos.
U.S. delegation visits St. Sophia of Kyiv ahead of peace talks
Zelensky took the U.S. negotiators to St. Sophia of Kyiv.
Rescuers urge Hasidic pilgrims in Uman not to perform rituals in local quarry
The State Emergency Service warned Hasidic pilgrims in Uman about the dangers of ritual immersion in a flooded quarry that is not equipped for swimming.
UOC Social Department provides food packages to 100 displaced families
In Kyiv, 100 internally displaced families received food and essential supplies from the UOC Social Department.
Third Armenian judge refuses to hear case against Catholicos
A third judge has refused to hear the case against the head of the Armenian Church and six bishops, with the case materials sent to the Court of Cassation.