UOC community in Gribovitsa village has their first prayer in a newly built temple (PHOTO)

On August 6, the community of the Holy Protection Church of the village of Gribovitsa, Volyn region, for the first time since autumn 2015 has gathered for worship in their own new temple. The church was built within the framework of the program “40 temples” of the charitable foundation "Tabor". As the UOJ correspondent reports, more than thirty believers gathered here for the first Liturgy, despite the fact that many parishioners of the canonical Church left the village for rest on these summer days.

"This is the great mercy of God, we still cannot get used to the idea that everything has turned out so well for our community," Archpriest Igor Margita, senior priest of the parish of the UOC in Gribovitsa, commented on the joyful event.

A year ago the priest selected his own land plot for his future church, which was devised to his family by one of the elderly parishioners. The project is virutally realized as a converted summer kitchen: it is a metal structure, which from the side so far does not resemble the classical church. Over time, a small dome will be raised on the roof, the cross for this dome being still disassembled.

The parishioners did not wait for the completion of the works: they wanted to get together in prayer in the real church. The internal appearance of the new church is no different from the usual one: there is a space for a choir on the second floor, a separate altar, and icons on the walls. The community waited for only one thing: until all instances of documents on the commissioning of the facility have been passed, so that no one could prevent the believers from gathering under this roof.

Before the service, Archpriest Igor Margita addressed his congregation with congratulations and gratitude for support, including financial donations. Only by the forces of believers and with the help of patrons was it possible to restore the normal course of life of the Orthodox community in Gribovitsa so quickly. Until that day, beginning in September 2015, believers, whose temple was grabbed by the UOC KP, gathered for prayer in the church house where the priest and his family live.

"The consecration of the throne, the visit of the hierarchy, visits of other rectors of our deanery will all come with time, for the most important consecration of the church is the first Liturgy," Archpriest Igor Margita explained.

This Saturday the priest awaits the arrival of the faithful for the first night service: the temple is open to all residents of the village.

The Holy Protection Church of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Gribovitsa village in Ivanychi district of Volyn region thanks all the caring patrons who have responded to the request for help, sponsors and benefactors who helped the community to survive during difficult times and return to the normal rhythm of church life.