Persecuted UOC communities in Bukovyna pray at Great Penitential Canon

Reading of the Canon in the house church of Stara Zhadova village. Photo: Facebook page of the faithful of the Chernivtsi Eparchy

During the first week of Great Lent 2026, in several parishes of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Bukovyna whose communities had been deprived of their churches, the Great Penitential Canon of Venerable Andrew of Crete was read. Despite persecution, the faithful gathered in adapted premises arranged for worship.

Village of Dubove (Storozhynets Deanery)

At the persecuted UOC parish dedicated to the Holy Trinity in the village of Dubove, the service took place in a repurposed facility and was led by the rector, Priest Oleksandr Chuvyk.

It should be recalled that after the Feast of Theophany, on January 18, 2025, the community’s church was seized by representatives of the OCU. Since then, the faithful have been forced to pray in a house lovingly and sacrificially provided by one of the parishioners – a defender of Ukraine who is currently on the front line.

Village of Tovtry (Zastavna Deanery)

On February 25, 2026, the religious community in honor of the Dormition of the Most Holy Theotokos in the village of Tovtry also read the third part of the Great Penitential Canon in a repurposed facility. The service was led by the rector, Mitred Archpriest Oleksandr Shtefanytsia.

This community lost its church as early as May 18, 2019: representatives of the National Police formed a human chain at the doors of the Holy Dormition Church, pushed the faithful aside, and allowed OCU supporters to approach the church. The initiators of the seizure, in full view of the community and law enforcement, cut the locks and entered the church.

Village of Spaska (Storozhynets Deanery)

The religious community in honor of the Great Martyr John of Suceava in the village of Spaska read the Great Penitential Canon of Venerable Andrew of Crete in a makeshift place for worship. The reading was led by the rector, Priest Oleksandr Chuvyk.

It should be recalled that on May 12, 2025, the church dedicated to the Holy Great Martyr John of Suceava in this village was seized. According to available information, supporters of the OCU from neighboring villages – Spaska, Dubove, and Mykhalcha – under the leadership of Roman Hryshchuk and local chaplains, took part in the seizure.

Village of Stara Zhadova (Storozhynets Deanery)

The religious community in honor of the Holy Archangels Michael and Gabriel in the village of Stara Zhadova read the Great Penitential Canon in premises converted for worship. The service was led by the rector, Mitred Archpriest Vasyl Hutsuliak.

The church of this community was seized on September 28, 2025: OCU supporters, together with masked men in balaclavas and with police participation, broke into the Church of the Holy Archangels Michael and Gabriel.

Thus, despite the loss of their churches and prolonged confrontation, the faithful of the persecuted Bukovynian UOC parishes continue to preserve church life, gathering for prayer in whatever conditions are available to them.

Earlier, the UOJ reported that the persecuted UOC parish in Zabolottia prayed at the Penitential Canon.

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