Congresswoman takes control of possible takeover attempt in Kuzmyn

Anna Paulina Luna. Photo: axios.com

On January 8, 2026, U.S. Congresswoman Anna Paulina Luna stated that she took control of the situation around the attempted seizure of a UOC church in the village of Kuzmyn, Khmelnytsky region, by OCU supporters. On her social network X, she published a video message from UOC believers and gave an exclusive comment to the UOJ in the USA, in which she promised to seek protection for the community and accountability for those involved.

Commenting on the situation, the American congresswoman stated: "This morning I received a video appeal from Orthodox Christians in Kuzmyn, Ukraine asking for protection as the local authorities move to seize their church, a church built by their parents and grandparents. These illegal seizures must stop!"

Separately, the congresswoman gave an exclusive comment for the UOJ in the USA, in which she assessed the situation. "I was deeply moved and disheartened by the appeal of Ukrainian Christians from the Church of the Nativity of the Theotokos in the village of Kuzmyn, Ukraine. Zelensky has chosen to wage war on his own people for their faith. To Ukrainian officials in Kuzmyn, in the Khmelnytskyi region, and Ukraine more broadly, know this: we are monitoring church seizures and compiling a list of officials involved in these illegal seizures. There will be consequences if the Nativity parish in Kuzmyn is seized from the faithful of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church," stated Anna Paulina Luna.

Earlier, the UOJ wrote that the congresswoman urged colleagues not to remain silent when Christians are persecuted.

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