New church laid on site of burned 17th-century church in Ivashkovytsia
Parishioners of St. Michael's Church in the village of Ivashkovytsia. Photo: Mukachevo Eparchy
On May 30, 2026, in the village of Ivashkovytsa of the Irshava Deanery of the Mukachevo Eparchy (UOC), the foundation of the new St. Michael Church was consecrated by Bishop Hilarion of Svaliava with the blessing of Metropolitan Feodor of Mukachevo and Uzhhorod, reports the eparchy's press service.
The new church will be built on the site of the historic wooden church that was destroyed by a fire in January of this year.
After the divine service, Bishop Hilarion addressed the faithful with an archpastoral word and conveyed the blessing of Metropolitan Feodor. The hierarch wished the parish rector Archpriest Stepan Savka and the villagers to restore the shrine as soon as possible with God's help, and also invoked God's blessing upon all who participate in the construction of the new church.
As the UOJ reported, on the night of January 7, 2026, the unique wooden St. Michael's Church built in 1658 burned down in Ivashkovytsia. The fire completely destroyed one of the oldest shrines of Transcarpathia, which was a monument of wooden church architecture. Despite the efforts of the priest and local residents, the church could not be saved. However, firefighters prevented the spread of fire to the nearby historic bell tower.
Read also
Volodymyr-Volynskyi Eparchy marks 30 years since restoration
The Pantanassa Icon and relics of Prince Volodymyr have arrived in Kovel and will visit churches across the Volodymyr-Volynskyi Eparchy to mark the 30th anniversary of the restoration of the episcopal see.
Bukovyna faithful bring humanitarian aid to Kherson region residents
The UOC’s Chernivtsi Eparchy delivered food to Holy Spirit Cathedral in Kherson.
Ukraine must have its own faith: Poroshenko's party lays out peace terms
Poroshenko’s party European Solidarity described church policy as a matter of national sovereignty and said there can be no compromises in this area.
432 UOC churches damaged in Ukraine during war, report says
According to the Religion on Fire project, 807 religious buildings in Ukraine have been damaged or destroyed as a result of hostilities.
DESS official gives number of clergy exempt from mobilization in Ukraine
A DESS representative said the actual number of clergy exempt from mobilization is significantly lower than the number of religious organizations designated as critical.
Cabinet keeps gas prices unchanged for religious organizations
The Cabinet has fixed gas prices for religious organizations through the end of the 2026–2027 heating season.