In Katerinovka schismatic parishioners begin to return to UOC

The consecration of the new church of the UOC in the village of Katerinovka of the Kremenets district, the Ternopil region, put an end to the two-year conflict with the schismatics, said to the UOJ the rector of the St. George's community of the UOC, Archpriest Sergei Gladun.

According to him, believers of the UOC and supporters of the Kyiv Patriarchate peacefully divided the temple property. Two parishes quietly serve in their churches, and some residents of Katerinovka, who have fallen into schism, even began to come to the new church of the UOC built for the community of the canonical Church instead of the one seized by the Filaret followers.

"One woman, who after the conflict went to our church to the services of the Kyiv Patriarchate, now again attend our services," said Archpriest Sergei Gladun. Moreover, the parishioner visits his second parish, located in the village of Temnogaytsy of the Shumsk district.

Believers of the UOC were not hindered to take in their new church one pair of banners, a shroud, three Gospels, church utensils and vessels, some icons, and the elders of the two communities shook hands as a sign of reconciliation.

Built in the framework of the "40 Temples" program among the first in Western Ukraine, the Holy Martyr and Healer Panteleimon Church in the village of Katerinovka was consecrated on September 8, 2017. Since that day two Sunday divine services have already been performed here.

Supporters of the Kyiv Patriarchate and the "Right Sector" seized St. George's Church of the UOC two years ago, on September 21, 2017, as a result of a tough confrontation that ended with a call of law enforcement officers and a fight in the church territory.