Vandals break the Virgin icon and paint gates of UOC temple in Bohdashiv

On the night of August 19-20, in the village of Bohdashiv, Rivne region, unidentified people smashed the windows of the chapel and the icon of the Iberian Mother of God with stones and painted the central and side gates of the Exaltation of the Cross church of the UOC with Z letter, the press service of the Rivne diocese reports.

Law enforcement officers recorded the details of the crime and opened criminal proceedings.

According to the press service, there are four chapels in honor of the icons of the Mother of God on the territory of the Exaltation of the Cross church, which are the architectural part of the fence. The chapel in honor of the Iberian Icon is located on the southwestern side of the temple.

The rector's son, Pavlo Rudyuk, said that unknown people committed desecration of this icon two years ago – they had thrown mud at it and broken the glass.

As the UOJ previously reported, OCU activists tried to expel the rector from the UOC church in Znosychi village.

Lionel Messi thanks God for his achievements as he ends international career

Argentine football star Lionel Messi credited God for his success as he brought his international career to a close, saying he could never have achieved so much without God's will.

Odesa’s St. Elijah Monastery honors memory of its founder

Metropolitan Agafangel led celebrations at St. Elijah Monastery in Odesa on the feast day of St. Gabriel of Mount Athos.

OCU cleric rejects suspension, accuses ruling bishop of usurping power

An OCU cleric called the decree suspending him "canonically null and void" and accused "Bishop" Semanchuk of attempting to seize parishes and using mobilization threats as blackmail.

Supreme Court: Religious beliefs do not exempt citizens from mobilization

The Supreme Court has clarified that Ukrainian law does not provide for alternative civilian service under martial law.

Ukraine birth rate drops 17%, demographer says

The head of a department at Ukraine’s Institute of Demography has reported a sharp decline in the country's birth rate.

Khust Eparchy honors memory of St. Job of Uholka

A Liturgy is served in Mala Uholka, a birthplace of St. Job of Uholka, on the saint's feast day.