UOC deacon dies in Finland after saving child from drowning

UOC Deacon Vladyslav Volkov. Photo: open sources

UOC Deacon Vladyslav Volkov. Photo: open sources

On June 21, 2026, a tragedy involving Ukrainian Orthodox Church Deacon Vladyslav Volkov occurred in Finland. UOC priest Sylvester Shevchenko reported this on Facebook.

While resting by the water, the cleric saw a child caught in a whirlpool and beginning to drown. Vladyslav immediately rushed to help, managed to pull the child out of danger, but was unable to make it back to shore himself.

The deceased cleric is survived by two small children, aged three and one, and he was the only son of his parents. Those who knew Vladyslav recall that from childhood he actively participated in church life, served as an altar boy, later graduated from seminary, and was ordained a deacon. His loved ones call his act a manifestation of the very sacrificial love that Christ Himself revealed to humanity.

As the UOJ reported, one of the oldest clergymen of the UOC has reposed in the Lord.

OCU activist admits breaking into UOC church in Sloviansk

Oleksandr Onyshchenko said that the OCU held its first "service" at the Seraphim Church, which had previously been broken into by forcing the locks and doors.

Archimandrite Ioustinos, longtime keeper of Jacob's Well, dies in Jordan

Archimandrite Ioustinos (Mamallos), the keeper of Jacob's Well in Nablus, has died after a prolonged illness.

Pilgrim group from Kyiv Theological Seminary visits Mount Athos

KTS students are making a pilgrimage to the holy sites of Romania, Greece, Mount Athos and Italy.

UOC cathedral celebrates its patronal feast in Ternopil

The service in the cathedral of the Holy Martyrs Faith, Hope, Love and their mother Sophia was led by Metropolitan Serhii of Ternopil, concelebrated by four hierarchs.

MinCulture marks centenary of Soviet-era reserve at Lavra's Refectory Church

Representatives of the Ministry of Culture presented awards to the Reserve's employees on the occasion of the anniversary at the Refectory Church of the Lavra.

Conference to mark 1700th anniversary of Christianity adoption held in Georgia

In Georgia, representatives of the Church and the state noted the defining role of Christianity in the country's cultural development.