Police in frontline Yurkivka help evacuate icons from damaged UOC church
Fr. Ioann Bysmak during the evacuation of the church relics in Yurkovka. Photo: National Police
On February 9, 2026, police helped remove church property from the damaged Church of the Nativity of the Most Holy Theotokos (UOC) in the village of Yurkovka, Orikhiv District, Zaporizhzhia Region. The assistance was requested by the rector, Archpriest Ioan Bysmak.
A chaplain patrol unit was involved in the evacuation, after which they traveled to the settlement together. The sacred items and property were carefully loaded and transported out. The transfer proceeded without complications, as no aerial threats were recorded at that time.
“We are evacuating the sacred items to a safer place. We are grateful to everyone who is taking part – the police, volunteers, and all those who are helping. There is a lot here that is needed,” the rector said.
Footage released by the police shows the church has already sustained significant damage: the roof has been pierced, and the walls and windows were damaged by shrapnel.
Earlier, the UOJ reported that shelling also damaged a church in Malokaterynivka, Zaporizhzhia Region.
Read also
Sand for construction of Yermak’s residence brought from cemetery, MP says
MP Yaroslav Zhelezniak said that sand illegally removed from a cemetery in Ukrainka was used in the construction of the elite Dynasty cooperative in Kozyn.
Israeli soldiers receive jail terms for mocking statue of the Virgin Mary
Those involved in the act of sacrilege in the village of Debel will spend several weeks behind bars for desecrating a statue of the Mother of God.
Serbian Church officially receives back land of 15th-century monastery
An agreement was signed in Belgrade transferring the territory of the ancient Vojlovica Monastery to the Banat Eparchy.
Pat Daniiel comments on conflict between Phanar bishop and community in Turkey
The Bulgarian Primate believes that the hierarch of the Constantinople Patriarchate should not have forced the Bulgarian community in Edirne to serve in Greek.
Patriarch Bartholomew congratulates Patriarch Shio on his election
In his message of congratulations, Patriarch Bartholomew called for joint witness before the world within the framework of “pan-Orthodox unity.”
Georgian priest in Germany: Patriarch Shio will preserve Ilia II’s legacy
Priest Elias Schlepegrell, who was present at the election in Tbilisi, said there is a clear disposition toward preserving Ilia II’s line and the unity of the Georgian Church.