UOC hierarch visits persecuted communities in Volyn during Christmas holidays
The hierarch of the Volyn Eparchy congratulated believers on Christmas who, after the seizure of their churches, continue their liturgical life in adapted premises.
During the Christmas season, the vicar of the Volyn Eparchy of the UOC, Archbishop Afanasiy, visited parishes whose churches were taken by the OCU. This was reported by the eparchy's press service.
The hierarch traditionally congratulated the believers of the persecuted communities of Volyn on the Nativity of Christ.
The eparchy published the first part of a photo report from the villages of Ratniv, Baiv, Ozeriany, Rzhyshchiv, Radomyshl, Vesele, Usychi, Shepel, Novostav, Zhydychyn, Kulchyn, Romaniv, Zviriv, Palche, Metelne, and Berestyane.
Archbishop Afanasiy conveyed Christmas greetings and words of support to the faithful on behalf of Metropolitan Nafanail of Volyn and Lutsk, and handed out sweet gifts to the children.
"In each parish, the faithful joined Archbishop Afanasiy in caroling, praising the birth of the Christ Child. Everyone rejoiced at the greetings and, with united hearts and voices, full of love, also took part in the caroling,” the report says.
As the UOJ wrote, in Volyn the OCU named the number of “transferred” UOC communities and clergy
