Chernivtsi hierarch consecrated the altar of a new church of the persecuted community in Kerstentsi
In Kerstentsi, believers built a new Transfiguration church after the previous one was seized by supporters of the OCU.
Metropolitan Meletiy of Chernivtsi and Bukovyna consecrated the altar of the newly built Transfiguration church of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church in the village of Kerstentsi on August 19, 2026. The community built this church to replace the old shrine, which had previously been seized by supporters of the OCU. This was reported by believers of the Chernivtsi-Bukovyna Diocese of the UOC on Facebook.
Metropolitan Meletiy celebrated the festive Divine Liturgy following the completion of the rite of altar consecration. Secretary of the Chernivtsi-Bukovyna Diocese Dimitry Shcherban, Dean of the Khotyn District Anatoly Mandryuk, and parish rector Vladimir Timofeev concelebrated with the archpastor.
Numerous parishioners filled the new church. The people glorified the Lord Jesus Christ and offered prayers for peace on Ukrainian soil, for the defenders of the country, for families, and for those who had lost their homes.
After the conclusion of the Liturgy, the clergy performed the blessing of the fruits of the new harvest and a cross procession around the church. The priests read the Holy Gospel and sprinkled the faithful with holy water.
Metropolitan Meletiy supported the parishioners with words of spiritual guidance. Parish rector Vladimir Timofeev thanked the archpastor for the consecration of the altar, and the clergy and faithful for their conciliar prayer on this festive day.
Let us recall that on September 29, 2025, supporters of the OCU seized the former Transfiguration church of the UOC community in Kerstentsi. OCU activists carried out a forcible seizure with the support of police and Roman Hryshchuk. The UOC faithful lost the building but preserved their faith and decided to build a new church on an empty plot. Through prayers, persistent labor, and the help of parishioners, the people erected a new shrine.
Earlier, the UOJ reported that pilgrims from Zakarpattia supported the persecuted UOC community in Kerstentsi.
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