OCU swaps its “metropolitans” in Vinnytsia and Khmelnytskyi

Shostatskyi and Yurystyi will exchange eparchies. Photo: OCU

The OCU has decided to swap two of its ruling “bishops” in Vinnytsia and Khmelnytskyi. On February 2, 2026, the synod of this structure announced that Metropolitan Simeon (Shostatskyi) will be transferred from Vinnytsia to Khmelnytskyi and will become “Metropolitan of Khmelnytskyi and Shepetivka, ruling the Khmelnytskyi Eparchy.” In turn, Pavlo Yurystyi will be transferred in the opposite direction and will serve as “Archbishop of Vinnytsia and Bar, ruling the Vinnytsia–Bar Eparchy.”

The OCU synod did not explain the reasons for this reshuffle.

Earlier, the UOJ reported that the OCU intends to issue an address to “believers and bishops dependent on the position of the Russian Orthodox Church.”

Read also

Firefighters saved a UOC church in the village of Mashev in Volhynia

The fire at the St. Barbara's church in the village of Mashev was extinguished within two hours; specialists are establishing the cause of the fire.

German monastery expresses support for Sviatohirsk Lavra brotherhood

The monks of the Buchhagen monastery are praying for the slain Monk Varsonofiy and the brotherhood of the Sviatohirsk Lavra.

No word for three months on monk abducted from UOC monastery in Lyman

Reports about the abduction of Archimandrite Avakum from the Protection Monastery in Donetsk Region were submitted to the police, the State Bureau of Investigation and the prosecutor’s office.

MP: UOC feels comfortable abroad because there is no law on its ban

An MP acknowledged the powerlessness of the OCU abroad, unlike the UOC.

Georgian hegumen: Murder of Sviatohirsk monk is pain for all Christians

A Georgian clergyman expressed condolences to the brotherhood of the Sviatohirsk Monastery.

Romanian Primate thanks Phanar head for canonization of saints

The Primate of the Romanian Church noted the spiritual significance of the glorification of four monks of Romanian origin.