Mnyshyn community marks anniversary in new church instead of seized one

Celebration in Mnyshyn. Photo: Rivne Eparchy

On July 28, 2026, the UOC community of the village of Mnyshyn, Hoshcha Deanery, celebrated its patronal feast on the day of remembrance of the Equal-to-the-Apostles Grand Prince Volodymyr and the Baptism of Rus', reports the website of the Rivne Eparchy of the UOC.

As the eparchy's statement reads, this year's celebration was particularly special for the parish, as it marked one year since the completion of the new church's construction. The previous church, where the Ukrainian Orthodox Church had held services for many years, was seized by OCU supporters. Following this, the faithful built a new shrine, which became a place of prayer for the Orthodox residents of the village.

The festive Divine Liturgy was led by the secretary of the Rivne Eparchy, Archpriest Viktor Zemlianyi. He was concelebrated by priests of the Hoshcha Deanery. A large community prayed at the service, and special petitions were offered for peace in Ukraine, the well-being of the people, and God's blessing upon those present. After the reading of the Gospel, Archpriest Viktor delivered a homily on the spiritual significance of the Baptism of Rus' and the necessity of remaining faithful to Christ and the Orthodox Church in times of trial.

At the conclusion of the service, the eparchy secretary conveyed congratulations to the rector and the parish from the ruling hierarch. He thanked the faithful for their steadfastness, loyalty to the canonical Church, and the labor through which the new church was built. The Liturgy was followed by a religious procession around the church and a communal prayer.

As the UOJ reported, on July 27, 2025, the St. Volodymyr Church built to replace the one seized by the OCU was consecrated in Mnyshyn.

As a reminder, on March 24, 2019, representatives of the OCU and "Right Sector" activists attempted to seize the Intercession Church of the UOC in Mnyshyn. They justified their intentions by a directive on alternating services previously issued by the head of the local state administration. At the time, law enforcers prevented the raiders from placing their locks on the church, but on May 12, OCU activists beat parishioners and seized the Intercession Church of the UOC in Mnyshyn.

Since then, the UOC religious community held services every Sunday in a small house on the church grounds. In September 2022, unknown individuals doused the house where UOC believers prayed with paint, cut down the bells, and stole a candlestick.

Read also