UOC bishop celebrates Lenten service in persecuted parish of Khmelnytskyi

Metropolitan Viktor of Khmelnytskyi prayerfully supported the believers of the Dormition community, who lost their church as a result of seizure by OCU followers.

Metropolitan Viktor of Khmelnytskyi and Starokostiantyniv led the Great Lent liturgical service on February 26, 2026, in the persecuted Holy Dormition parish of the UOC in the city of Khmelnytskyi, reports the eparchy's press service.

The service was attended by the parish rector Archpriest Roman Luhovyi and parishioners who have been conducting services in adapted premises for several years after their church was seized by representatives of the OCU.

After the service, the archpastor addressed the faithful with a word of instruction, wishing the rector and the community spiritual strength, patience, and a blessed passage through Great Lent.

As the UOJ reported, persecuted UOC communities in Bukovyna prayed at the Great Penitential Canon.