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
OCU blogger tries to stage provocation at Chernivtsi Holy Spirit Cathedral
A provocateur calling himself a “religious expert” came to the cathedral in Chernivtsi and recorded a video while insulting UOC clergy and faithful.
UOC eparchy holds 16th “Bible Experts” Olympiad for Sunday school students
The Rivne Eparchy of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church held the 16th “Bible Experts” Olympiad for Sunday school students.
Court legalizes unlawful transfer of UOC parish in Vilne
A UOC parish from the village of Vilne filed a lawsuit against the unlawful transfer of the church, but the court refused to satisfy the claim.
Ministry of Culture hands two buildings in Lower Lavra over to OCU
The organization headed by Epifaniy (Dumenko) was granted, for free use, the residence of Metropolitan Onufriy and the building that housed the chancellery of the UOC Metropolis in the Lower Lavra.
Phanar bishop at ecumenical prayer service: All faiths are one Body of Christ
Archbishop Elpidophoros spoke of “diversity within the Body of Christ” at a service attended by Catholics, Protestants, and an openly lesbian “woman bishop.”
MP comments on Yermak being backed by a “satanist” who picketed Lavra
Zhelezniak called “Mag Veliiar” a “talking head for the President’s Office” and mocked his accusations against him.