State TV channel publishes fake guidance for “transfers” to OCU

A fence-side meeting to “transfer” the main UOC churches in Chernivtsi. Photo: molbuk

A fence-side meeting to “transfer” the main UOC churches in Chernivtsi. Photo: molbuk

The website of the state television channel Suspilne Chernivtsi published fake guidance on “transfers” to the OCU. It claimed that residents of the territorial community supposedly have the right to vote at meetings on such a transfer.

“To transfer from the UOC to the OCU, you need to hold a general meeting of the community. Members of that community can convene it. After the vote, the community’s residents must register a new charter,” wrote the author of the publication, Alina Khryshchuk.

She also stated that in 2025, more UOC communities in the Chernivtsi region “voluntarily transferred” to the OCU than in all previous years combined – 38.

Let us recall that Article 8 of Ukraine’s Law “On Freedom of Conscience and Religious Organizations” says that only members of a religious community may take part in a meeting to change that community’s confessional affiliation – not residents of the territorial community.

Earlier, the UOJ reported that a similar statement was made by DESS expert Liudmyla Fylypovych. According to her, everyone can decide the fate of UOC churches, not only parishioners.

Lithuanian bishop: Ukraine is no model for believers' rights

Vicar of Vilnius Diocese voices concern over attempts to import Ukraine's religious conflict into Lithuania.

Hundreds of believers honor St. Alexis of Carpatho-Russia in Khust Eparchy

At the St. Nicholas Monastery in the village of Iza-Karputlash, Metropolitan Mark of Khust led a festive liturgy, concelebrated by six metropolitans, five archbishops and three bishops.

Court upholds UOC parish appeal in Voloshky over OCU switch dispute

The Northern Commercial Court of Appeal has upheld the appeal of the St. Nicholas parish of the UOC in the village of Voloshky, Volyn region, in a dispute over a transfer to the OCU.

Zelensky says 9.5M Ukrainians expected to return home from abroad

Zelensky stated that 9.5 million Ukrainians who left abroad are expected to return home to rebuild the country.

German theologian criticizes Ukrainian authorities' pressure on UOC

German theologian Regina Elsner has said that pressure from the authorities on the Ukrainian Orthodox Church places an additional heavy burden on believers during the war.

Poland bans entry to Lviv official over SS Galicia and UPA glorification

Polish Foreign Minister initiates entry ban on Lviv Regional Council deputy who proposed declaring 2027 the Year of the UPA.