Another UOC church seized by schismatics in Chernivtsi region

DECR Communication Service, 06/04/2025

On April 5^th, in Panka village, Chernivtsi region, the OCU activists seized the Church of the Great Martyr Demetrios of Thessaloniki of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, reports the Union of Orthodox Journalists.

Back on February 23^rd, 2024, in the village of Panka, a general meeting of the local religious community took place, attended by 595 parishioners. They unanimously reaffirmed their allegiance to the Ukrainian Orthodox Church led by His Beatitude Metropolitan Onuphry of Kyiv and All Ukraine. The minutes of the meeting were submitted to the Chernivtsi Regional Military Administration.

At the time the community made the decision to remain under the jurisdiction of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, the OCU had already had its own church in the village – the Holy Dormition Church, where the OCU members can meet for worship.

In February 2024, a group of foreign journalists was monitoring closely and documenting the developments in Bukovyna. They could verify that the canonical Church acted lawfully and transparently.

That notwithstanding, on April 5^th, the OCU representatives assisted by raiders with no connection to the village or the community of St. Demetrios Church, seized the church building, thus preventing the UOC faithful from gathering for prayer in their own church.

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Another UOC church seized by schismatics in Chernivtsi region

Patriarch

Department Chairman

Sermons

Patriarch

Department Chairman

Sermons