Odessa Diocese: OCU seized the Alexander Nevsky church using a security firm
OCU supporters, backed by a security agency, forcibly seized a UOC church in Odessa, beating parishioners and priests.
The seizure of the Alexander Nevsky church in Odessa began when men in black uniforms armed with batons blocked the gates and entrances to the building, preventing the congregation and clergy from entering. Eyewitnesses and diocesan representatives identified the attackers as employees of the Odessa security agency "Samson," which is linked to one of the regional council deputies.
During the assault, physical force was used against the faithful. According to eyewitnesses, one of the priests was knocked to the ground and strangled. Beatings of female parishioners and the secretary of the Odessa Diocese were also reported. OCU representatives, led by "chaplain" Viktor, justified their actions with documents allegedly confirming the congregation's transfer to their jurisdiction. The Odessa Diocese refuted these claims, calling the documents forged.
The diocesan secretary Yevheniy Hutyar emphasized that the actual congregation, which built this church and has been worshipping in it for decades, held no meetings regarding a change of canonical affiliation. "This is a raider seizure carried out according to a well-worn scheme," Father Yevheniy stated.
During the incident, one of the OCU activists snatched a prayer book from the hands of a praying priest and tore it, damaging pages bearing an image of the Mother of God icon. Despite the pleas of the UOC clergy to be allowed to finish their prayers, the raiders continued to apply pressure. As a result, the clergy were forced to remove the Holy Gifts, the antimension, and the tabernacle from the altar, after which the building was locked.
The diocesan administration described the attackers' actions as "methods of Soviet godless terrorism." The diocese's lawyers are already preparing lawsuits to return the property to its rightful owners, and a police report has been filed regarding the beating of the priest.
As reported by SPZh, the OCU announced that it will rename the seized Alexander Nevsky church in Odessa.
