In Nichohivka, temporary house church of persecuted UOC community burns down

In the village of Nichohivka, a temporary building of the UOC community burned down. Photo: Volyn Eparchy

On the evening of December 30, 2025, in the village of Nichohivka, Lutsk district, a temporary building, where for several years the persecuted St. Nicholas community of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church conducted services, completely burned down. This was reported by the press service of the Volyn Eparchy.

As the parish rector, Archpriest Andriy Henaliuk, reported, the fire destroyed the entire building, as well as church utensils and property that the faithful had arranged for prayer with their own efforts. The tragedy occurred a few days before the celebration of the Nativity of Christ, as a result of which the community was actually left in the open air.

The priest noted that in January 2019, the UOC community of the St. Nicholas Church in the village of Nichohivka lost their church. After this, the faithful were forced to arrange a prayer room in one of the village houses. Over almost seven years, people established a full-fledged liturgical life there, installed heating and electricity, but now as a result of the fire, they have lost everything.

At present, parishioners are asking all those who care for help. The affected community can be supported using the following details: 4149 4975 3185 1196 (PrivatBank card).
When making a transfer, please indicate: “For charity.”

As reported by the UOJ, on January 26, 2019, in the village of Nichohivka, Manevychi district, supporters of the OCU staged a scuffle on the street to prevent the rector from entering the church. Father Tarasiy Bernyk spoke about the psychological pressure from activists on him and the villagers, aiming to organize a "transfer" to the OCU. The priest stated that representatives of the UOC-KP did not agree to his proposal to serve alternately. However, despite the seizure of the church, the UOC community continued its liturgical life.

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