Zhytomyr Eparchy responds to alleged transfer of two parishes to OCU

Communities in Romanivka and Synhaivka that reportedly "switched" to the OCU. Collage: UOJ

The Zhytomyr Eparchy of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church has commented to the UOJ on reports that St. Michael's Parish in Romanivka and St. Nicholas Parish in Synhaivka have transferred to the Orthodox Church of Ukraine (OCU), explaining the circumstances surrounding both communities.

The eparchy said that for many years, St. Michael's Parish in Romanivka held services in a former community center under a verbal agreement with local authorities, without a formal lease.

“Thus, the premises did not belong to the religious community, and their use was subject to an agreement with local authorities,” the eparchy explained.

The eparchy also emphasized the need to distinguish between a vote by village residents and a decision made by members of a religious community.

“These are not the same thing, and any decision to change a religious community's jurisdiction must comply with Ukrainian law and the religious organization's charter,” the Zhytomyr Eparchy stressed.

The eparchy added that it respects freedom of conscience but believes that “all decisions concerning church life must be based on legality, transparency, and respect for the rights of all believers, not just those who support a particular position.”

Regarding St. Nicholas Parish in Synhaivka, the eparchy noted that the community was small and received pastoral care from a visiting priest. On November 10, 2024, a meeting was held in the village to approve a purported transfer to the OCU.

“However, the parish rector did not support the decision and remained faithful to the Ukrainian Orthodox Church,” the Zhytomyr Eparchy stated.

Earlier, Volodymyr Shlapak, the OCU's “archbishop” of Zhytomyr and Polissia, announced the alleged transfer of the Romanivka parish on his Facebook page. Nadiia Zalevska, head of the Bronyky territorial community, which includes Romanivka, said that an “initiative group” had organized the transfer and collected signatures from village residents.

As the UOJ previously reported, the Cherkasy Eparchy commented on a lawsuit filed by prosecutors seeking to seize Holy Trinity Church in the village of Helmiaziv from its UOC community.

Read also