UOC believers in Yakushyntsi call to protect their churches from seizure

UOC believers and the Church of St. Seraphim of Sarov in Yakushyntsi. Photo: a screenshot from a video by the Vinnytsia Eparchy

The UOC communities of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker and St. Seraphim of Sarov in the village of Yakushyntsi, Vinnytsia district, addressed the Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights Dmytro Lubinets, representatives of local self-government, and the international Christian community in connection with the situation surrounding their churches. The appeal was published on the official Telegram channel of the Vinnytsia Eparchy of the UOC.

The believers reported actions by OCU representatives and certain political figures that violate the right to freedom of religion guaranteed by the Constitution of Ukraine and infringe upon the rights of parishioners of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church. In this regard, the community called on responsible persons to intervene in the situation and ensure compliance with the law.

In the published video, parishioners declare their support for their religious community and churches. According to the believers, they are the ones who have been permanent members of the parish for many years, participated in its construction, donated funds, and took an active part in the liturgical and parish life.

The community also addressed the World Council of Churches, in particular its moderator Heinrich Bedford-Strohm and general secretary Jerry Pillay, urging them to pay attention to what is happening. The believers ask state authorities and the international Christian community to guarantee them the ability to freely profess their faith and preserve their religious community.

As the UOJ reported, the UOC community in Yakushyntsi thwarted the seizure of their church by OCU supporters. Attempts to transfer the parish of St. Seraphim of Sarov to the OCU have been ongoing since March 2025. To this end, meetings were organized and protocols on the alleged "transfer" were drawn up, which the UOC community describes as falsified. All this time, the believers have been defending their rights to the parish and the church through legal means.

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