Raiders Seized the St. Michael Church of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church in the Village of Bezuhlivka During Bright Week

DECR Communication Service, 20.04.2026.

On April 16, 2026, representatives of the schismatic structure “OCU” seized the historic St. Michael Church of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church in the village of Bezuhlivka (Chernihiv Region of Ukraine). As reported by the website of the Union of Orthodox Journalists with reference to the Telegram channel “Dozor,” the raiders cut off the locks and broke into the house of God, declaring it their own.

According to the channel, the falsification of documents for the church began back in September of last year. People who had no relation to the religious community of the church decided to “transfer” the shrine to the “OCU.” On January 28, 2026, an illegal re-registration of the church took place.

Throughout this time, activists of the schismatic structure incited hatred against the rector of the church, Father Yaroslav Sobolevsky, and spread false information about him.

On Pascha, representatives of the “OCU” held a “blessing of baskets” near the church walls. And already on Bright Thursday they broke into the church. “Thanks be to God, the parish saved the icons and church utensils, which greatly displeased the raiders,” the Telegram channel “Dozor” reports.

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Raiders Seized the St. Michael Church of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church in the Village of Bezuhlivka During Bright Week

Patriarch

Department Chairman

Sermons

Patriarch

Department Chairman

Sermons