Metropolitan Viktor Led the Patronal Feast at the Persecuted Kazan Community
The UOC parish in Khmelnytskyi, which lost its shrine after it was seized, celebrated its patronal feast in an adapted premises.
On the feast day of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God, July 21, 2026, Metropolitan Viktor of Khmelnytskyi and Starokostiantyniv celebrated the Divine Liturgy in a premises adapted as a church for the community of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God in Khmelnytskyi. This was reported by the press service of the UOC diocese.
More than two years ago, the church in honor of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God was seized by supporters of the OCU. Since then, the religious community has been holding services in a premises converted for prayer.
Metropolitan Viktor was co-served by the rector of the parish, Archpriest Petro Diachuk, and the clergy of the diocese. At the litany of fervent supplication, prayers were offered for the soldiers, for peace in Ukraine, and for all those in need and affected by the war.
At the conclusion of the Liturgy, a glorification was performed before the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God, after which Metropolitan Viktor congratulated the rector and parishioners on the patronal feast.
As the UOJ reported, following the seizure of the Kazan church, the UOC community continues its liturgical life despite the loss of the church building.
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