Security officers beat and abduct UOC cathedral's altar server

Holy Dormition Cathedral in Volodymyr. Photo: anga.ua

On January 14, 2026, in Volodymyr, unknown individuals who introduced themselves as law enforcement members beat and abducted an altar server of the Holy Dormition Cathedral of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church. This was stated in an address by Metropolitan Volodymyr of Volodymyr–Volynskyi and Kovel.

According to the hierarch, the attack took place near the church worker’s home. The unknown assailants acted demonstratively and used physical force.

“Such brutality toward a peaceful person who has devoted his life to serving God is a challenge to the whole society,” said the ruling hierarch of the Volodymyr–Volynskyi Eparchy.

He stressed that the Church “cannot remain silent when its faithful are beaten and abducted in broad daylight.”

“I call on you to act in accordance with the oath you gave to the Ukrainian people. I expect immediate intervention and the restoration of justice,” he appealed to representatives of the SBU and the police.

As the UOJ reported, the Dormition Cathedral in Volodymyr, taken away from the UOC, was placed by the authorities on the balance sheet of the OCU.

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