Metropolitan Victor leads patronal feast of persecuted Krasyliv community

Easter celebration at the Holy Resurrection parish in Krasilov. Photo: Khmelnytskyi Eparchy

On April 14, 2026, Bright Tuesday, Metropolitan Victor of Khmelnytskyi and Starokostiantyniv celebrated the Divine Liturgy at the persecuted Holy Resurrection parish of the UOC in the city of Krasyliv, Khmelnytskyi region, according to the diocesan press service.

Since last year, after their church was seized by the OCU, the religious community has been holding services in an adapted premises.

Concelebrating with the hierarch were Archpriest Dmytrii Stetsko, secretary of the diocese; the dean of the Krasyliv district; the parish rector, Archpriest Vitalii Dunets; and clergy of the Krasyliv deanery.

Special prayers were offered during the service for peace in the Ukrainian land, for deliverance from the enemy, for the preservation of those who have lost their homes, and for a blessing upon all who help those in need.

At the end of the Liturgy, Metropolitan Victor sprinkled the faithful with holy water, addressed the flock with a sermon, and congratulated the parishioners on their patronal feast.

Recall that on May 15 of last year, OCU supporters, with police backing, broke the locks of the Resurrection church, used force against a clergyman, and seized the shrine. Attempts to take over the church had been made for several years. In 2023 alone, three such incidents were recorded. At the same time, as representatives of the local authorities had noted earlier, the community’s transfer to the OCU had no legal grounds, since neither the rector nor the parishioners had expressed any desire to change church jurisdiction.

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