Persecuted community in Stari Broskivtsi marks patronal feast in new church
The persecuted UOC community in Stari Broskivtsi celebrated its patronal feast. Photo: Facebook page of Chernivtsi Eparchy believers
UOC believers in the Bukovynian village of Stari Broskivtsi celebrated their patronal feast in the new church they are building to replace the one that was seized, according to the Facebook page of Chernivtsi Eparchy believers.
The festive Divine Liturgy on the feast of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul was led by Archimandrite Vissarion (Chykal), rector of the parish dedicated to St. Paraskeva in the same village. Concelebrating with him were the rector of the persecuted community, Mitred Archpriest Vitaliy Bilyk, and clergy of the Chernivtsi-Bukovyna Eparchy.
More than 200 believers prayed at the service in the new church. During the Liturgy, the clergy and laity offered prayers for peace in Ukraine, deliverance from the enemy, and protection for those who have been left without shelter.
At the conclusion of the Liturgy, Archimandrite Vissarion congratulated the faithful on the feast, while Fr. Vitaliy thanked the parishioners for their shared efforts in building the church. Despite losing their shrine, the community continues the construction work with love and hope in the mercy of the Lord.
On May 20, 2025, OCU supporters led by Roman Hryshchuk and local chaplains forcibly seized the Church of Sts. Peter and Paul in Stari Broskivtsi. The raiders broke into the building immediately after a funeral, before the UOC parishioners had time to return to the church. From that point onward, the persecuted community was forced to worship outdoors until it began building a new church through its own efforts.
As the UOJ reported, the persecuted UOC community in Yurkivtsi built a new church to replace the one that had been seized by the OCU.
Read also
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.
MP urges to ease pressure on UOC for sake of peace
Oleksii Honcharenko proposed compromises on language, historical memory, and Church issues as part of efforts to achieve peace, saying those who wish to attend the “Russian Church” should be allowed to do so.
Court takes 17th-century church in Staryi Pochaiv from UOC community
A commercial court overturned a 2018 registrar’s decision and stripped the UOC’s Ternopil Eparchy of ownership of the 17th-century church.