OCU supporters prepare to seize UOC church in Kolonshchyna

The UOC Church of St. John the Theologian in Kolonshchyna. Photo: screenshot / Channel 5

On May 30, 2026, residents of the village of Kolonshchyna in Kyiv Region’s Makariv District gathered at a meeting initiated by supporters of the OCU to “transfer” the Church of St. John the Theologian of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church into the structure headed by Epifaniy Dumenko. This was reported by a UOJ correspondent.

According to the local community, the meeting was held in the village cultural center despite a directive from the administration prohibiting such events. Earlier, the parish rector had appealed to law enforcement agencies and local authorities, warning of possible unlawful actions. Parishioners say their appeals received no response from the police.

Invitations distributed by the organizers called on residents of Kolonshchyna and neighboring villages to take part in a vote on “changing jurisdiction and joining the OCU,” describing it as a “historic moment” and a necessary step toward eliminating the “remnants of the Russian world.”

According to parishioners, the organizers relied on familiar accusations against the UOC, alleging ties to Moscow and “disrespect toward the Armed Forces of Ukraine.” Believers say the latter accusation stemmed from the rector’s refusal to concelebrate with OCU representatives.

At the same time, the religious community itself held a lawful parish meeting on May 17. According to information provided by the parish, all 56 registered members unanimously reaffirmed their loyalty to the Ukrainian Orthodox Church and to its Primate, His Beatitude Metropolitan Onuphry.

Despite this, organizers later announced at the cultural center meeting that approximately 270 people had voted in favor of joining the OCU, even though they were not members of the parish’s religious community.

Parishioners also point out that the church stands on privately owned land. In their view, any attempt to seize the shrine by force would constitute not only a violation of the rights of the religious community but also an infringement upon private property rights.

While the meeting was taking place, a prayer service was being celebrated inside the church, and the situation around the shrine remained calm. Nevertheless, parishioners fear further attempts to take control of the church against the expressed will of the religious community.

As previously reported by the UOJ, OCU activists sealed a UOC church in Novi Vorobyi after the parish rector was mobilized.

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