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.
Read also
Italian media: Ukrainian authorities persecute the country’s largest confession
The Italian outlet L’Identità reported on mass searches, the arrests of clergy, and the ban on the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, which it describes as the largest Church in Ukraine.
Festival marking Orthodox Youth Day held in UOC's Volyn Eparchy
In Lutsk, the UOC’s annual youth forum brought together parish groups, clergy, and participants in a creative program for Orthodox Youth Day.
London mayor switches on festive Ramadan lights
In London, the Muslim mayor inaugurated Ramadan illuminations: a central street was decorated with a “Happy Ramadan” sign and Islamic-style ornaments.
DESS: Ramadan is a time of special closeness to the Almighty
DESS congratulated Ukraine’s Muslims on the beginning of Ramadan.
Jehovah’s witness pastor sentenced in Lviv region for refusing TRC service
A court in Lviv region sentenced a Jehovah’s Witness pastor to five years in prison for unauthorized absence from his unit and for refusing to serve as a TRC cook.
Orthodox Church in America raises $700,000 for Ukrainians in Poland
An OCA representative met with Metropolitan Sava and discussed humanitarian support for Ukrainian refugees in Poland.