Department for External Church Relations
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Schismatics seized a church of the canonical Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Bila Tserkva in Kiev region
DECR Communication Service, 24.03.2025.
Representatives of the schismatic Orthodox Church of Ukraine (OCU) have seized a church from the canonical Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC) in the city of Bila Tserkva, Kiev region, TASS reports.
"The previous morning, schismatics entered the territory of the Church of St. Panteleimon after the end of the curfew and damaged the locks of the side doors," the Diocese of Bila Tserkva reported, adding that the seizure of the church took place in the presence of law enforcement officers and with the support of the city authorities.
It was also noted that the authorities facilitated the illegal re-registration of the statutory documents for the church building.
On 23 September 2024, Bill No. 8371, adopted by the Verkhovna Rada and signed by Volodymyr Zelensky, came into force in Ukraine. The law is aimed at the abolition of the canonical Ukrainian Orthodox Church. The authorities organized the biggest wave of persecution in modern history against the UOC, the largest community of believers in the country. Citing its ties to Russia, local authorities in various regions of Ukraine have passed resolutions banning the UOC activities. The Security Service of Ukraine began to open criminal cases against the clergy of the canonical Church. Hundreds of church buildings of the canonical Ukrainian Orthodox Church had been forcibly seized by Ukrainian schismatics from the OCU with the support of the authorities.
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