Supporters of OCU seize historic UOC church in Bezuhlivka, Chernihiv region

The seizure of St. Michael’s UOC church in the village of Bezuhlivka. Photo: Dozor

On April 16, 2026, representatives of the OCU seized the historic St. Michael’s Church of the UOC in the village of Bezuhlivka in Chernihiv region. According to the Dozor Telegram channel, the raiders cut the locks and stormed the House of God, declaring it their own.

According to the channel, the falsification of documents for the church began as early as September 2025. People with no connection to the church’s religious community voted to “transfer” the shrine to the OCU. On January 28, 2026, the church was illegally re-registered.

Throughout this period, OCU activists allegedly incited hatred against the church’s rector, Fr. Yaroslav Sobolevskyi, and spread false claims that he had refused to conduct funeral services for servicemen.

On Pascha, representatives of Dumenko’s structure held a “blessing of baskets” outside the church. Then, on Bright Thursday, they broke into the church itself.

“Thank God, the parish managed to save the icons and church vessels, which greatly displeased the raiders. According to our sources, OCU cleric Ivan Honchar, who took part in the seizure, is a well-known admirer of antique icons, which he apparently planned to steal,” Dozor wrote.

Earlier, the UOJ reported that the authorities in Sloviansk transferred the UOC cathedral to the OCU.

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