Persecuted UOC parish in Tovtry celebrates Holy Unction Sacrament
Assumption Religious Community of the UOC of Tovtry village. Photo: UOJ
In the village of Tovtry of the Zastavna Deanery of the Chernivtsi-Bukovyna Eparchy of the UOC, clergy celebrated the Sacrament of Holy Unction in a space arranged for worship. The service brought together the faithful of the parish dedicated to the Dormition of the Most Holy Theotokos, who for several years have been forced to pray in cramped conditions.
The rite was led by the rector of the parish, Archpriest Oleksandr Shtefanytsia. He was concelebrated by clergy of the Zastavna Deanery. Despite its status as a “persecuted” parish, the community continues to live a full liturgical life and to celebrate the special services of Great Lent.
As the UOJ previously reported, on May 18, 2019, supporters of the OCU forcibly seized the Dormition church of the canonical Church in Tovtry, cutting the locks off the doors. Police officers then formed a human chain, pushing UOC faithful back and securing entry into the building for the church raiders. Despite the loss of their shrine, the parish has preserved its unity and continues its social ministry. In particular, at the start of the war, parishioners actively helped accommodate evacuated children from the city of Voznesensk in Mykolaiv region.
Read also
ROCOR Bishop Job: Orthodoxy in Germany seeks to become a Local Church
At a conference marking the 100th anniversary of ROCOR’s German Eparchy, the vicar bishop outlined key challenges for the future and called for overcoming the “guest mentality” in a foreign country.
Metropolitan Onuphry: The sin of war affects people’s spiritual state
The Primate of the UOC called the ongoing armed conflict a tragedy for all humanity.
Patriarch Bartholomew attends mass marking Pope Leo’s election anniversary
The Ecumenical Patriarch called the path toward union with Rome irreversible.
Kyiv authorities declare day of mourning for victims of missile strike
State flags in the capital will be lowered and entertainment events canceled in memory of the dead.
Youth forum on social ministry held in UOC’s Volyn Eparchy
Participants gathered in Volyn on May 10 to discuss ministry, teamwork, and the preparation of Orthodox youth initiatives.