In Kerstentsi, the UOC church on Transfiguration had 7 times more worshippers than the OCU

The solemn service at the UOC church in Kerstentsi gathered more than three hundred people in the new church, while only forty parishioners attended the OCU service in the seized church. This was reported by faithful of the Chernivtsi-Bukovyna Diocese of the UOC on Facebook.

During the Liturgy on August 19, 2026, more than three hundred faithful came to share the festive joy with the persecuted UOC community, among whom were local residents as well as pilgrims and guests from other settlements. People completely filled the newly built church, affirming their loyalty to their Church.

OCU supporters celebrated the patronal feast in the seized church for the first time on August 6. According to photographs, around forty people attended the OCU service, including choir members. At the same time, nearly half of those present turned out to be visiting guests from neighboring settlements.

The faithful of the Transfiguration parish built the new church by their own efforts in a record short time. After the seizure of the former church by OCU supporters, the people did not abandon their community and for several months held communal prayers in an adapted temporary premises.

As the SPJ reported, the persecuted community in Stari Broskovtsi celebrated the feast in a new church.