In Khmelnytsky Oblast, the TCC abducted the rector of the community in Sutkovtsi
Archpriest Volodymyr Stefanyshyn. Photo: Khmelnytsky Diocese
On July 11, 2026, employees of the TCC abducted the rector of the Intercession Church in Sutkovtsi, Volodymyr Stefanyshyn, as reported by the Khmelnytsky Diocese of the UOC. The priest was detained in the village of Yarmolyntsi and taken to the military commissariat of Khmelnytsky.
According to the diocese, Fr. Volodymyr is already at the training ground in Rivne.
The UOC reminded that, according to the canonical rules of the Orthodox Church, a clergyman cannot take up arms, as the shedding of blood is incompatible with the ministry of a priest called to offer the bloodless sacrifice to God.
Previously, the SPJ reported that, according to the head of the SEANPFC, Yelensky, the authorities acknowledge that a priest cannot shed blood, but UOC clergy are not being granted deferments.
Read also
In Khmelnytsky Oblast, the TCC abducted the rector of the community in Sutkovtsi
Archpriest Volodymyr Stefanyshyn is already at the training ground.
Church celebrates feast of Holy Foremost Apostles Peter and Paul
On July 12, the Feast of the Apostles Peter and Paul, the Apostles' Fast (Peter's Fast) comes to an end for Orthodox Christians.
UGCC cleric criticizes OCU head for awarding Greek Catholic officials
Hieromonk Yustyn Boiko of the Lviv Archeparchy called the awarding of church honors to officials a profanation and cited the example of an OCU order presented to a Greek Catholic official.
Expert who found no defamation in Dumenko’s remarks to face disciplinary action
An Interior Ministry research center has confirmed disciplinary measures against the expert whose findings supported what the Metropolitan’s representatives described as unfounded accusations by the OCU head against Metropolitan Theodosiy.
European Parliament condemns forced Islamization of children in Pakistan
The European Parliament has called on Pakistan to establish a mechanism to protect Christian families.
Church of the Presentation damaged by shelling in Russia’s Kursk Region
The newly built church in the village of Kulbaki, Glushkovo District, was completely gutted by fire after being struck by a projectile.