The Russian Orthodox Church
Department for External Church Relations
Department for External Church Relations
The Russian Orthodox Church
Department for External Church Relations
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Raiders force parishioners out of a Ukrainian Orthodox church during service in Bukovyna village Stavchany
DECR Communication Service, 25.04.2025
On April 21, 2025—Bright Monday—raiders from the "OCU" ("Orthodox Church of Ukraine") seized the Archangel Michael church of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church in the village of Stavchany, Chernivtsi Oblast, Ukraine. This was reported by the Union of Orthodox Journalists, citing sources within the affected parish community.
Parishioners stated that despite the community's opposition, local authorities illegally re-registered the church to the "OCU". This was facilitated through a staged assembly in Stavchany. The parish rector, Archpriest Vyacheslav Gogol, emphasized that most of those who voted for the transfer to the "OCU" had never attended the church.
Armed with re-registration documents, "activists"—led by a schismatic "clergyman" from another village—entered the Archangel Michael church to "claim what was theirs." About twenty men stormed into the church during the service and forcibly pushed the worshippers outside. At the time, the congregation consisted mostly of elderly women, who were powerless against the physical aggression.
The displaced community is now seeking a temporary location to continue holding services.
Parishioners stated that despite the community's opposition, local authorities illegally re-registered the church to the "OCU". This was facilitated through a staged assembly in Stavchany. The parish rector, Archpriest Vyacheslav Gogol, emphasized that most of those who voted for the transfer to the "OCU" had never attended the church.
Armed with re-registration documents, "activists"—led by a schismatic "clergyman" from another village—entered the Archangel Michael church to "claim what was theirs." About twenty men stormed into the church during the service and forcibly pushed the worshippers outside. At the time, the congregation consisted mostly of elderly women, who were powerless against the physical aggression.
The displaced community is now seeking a temporary location to continue holding services.
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