UOC community of vlg. Stavok wins case on quarantine violation

The court has found no violations in the actions of the UOC community. Photo: infranken.de

On July 25, 2020, the Kostopil District Court examined the administrative case opened against the rector of the St. Nicholas community of the UOC in vlg, Stavok of the Kostopil district, Rivne region, in connection with an alleged violation of the coronavirus quarantine, reports a UOJ correspondent.

As the rector of the community Fr. Fedor Ksendziuk explained, this refers to the memorial service he performed on April 28 with the participation of parishioners.

“Events took place on April 28, people really gathered for worship, but not in large numbers and subject to all quarantine conditions: masks, social distance, etc.,” said Fr. Fedor. “But one of the local activists of the OCU decided that this was not so, he called the police, and they drew up a protocol according to which we were to pay a fine.”

Believers of the UOC categorically disagreed with such actions by law enforcement officers, refused to testify, filmed what was happening and turned to lawyers.

During the hearing of the administrative case, the Kostopil District Court revealed violations by the police who arrived that day in the village of Stavok on call, in particular when drawing up the protocol.

Upon consideration of the case, the court closed the administrative proceedings in connection with the absence of an offense on the part of the UOC community, so it will not pay a fine of 17 thousand hryvnias.

As reported earlier, Ukraine is tightening control over compliance with quarantine restrictions.

Read also

UOC Kryvyi Rih Eparchy marks 30th anniversary

Metropolitan Yefrem led the anniversary Divine Liturgy in Kryvyi Rih.

Ostapenko: Everyone in UCCRO feels fine except the “FSB UOC”

The director of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra National Reserve called the All-Ukrainian Council of Churches “a wonderful organization.”

Khmelnytskyi Eparchy donates funds for treatment of 12-year-old girl

UOC believers raised UAH 20,000 for Anastasiia Mamchur as part of an eparchial charity campaign.

Shevchuk: We had to convince world UOC ban does not violate religious freedom

The UGCC head claims that by banning the UOC, the state is not violating religious freedom but merely protecting the Church’s faithful from Moscow propaganda.

Lavra reserve head estimates damage to Dormition Cathedral at €15 million

Maksym Ostapenko said restoring the Dormition Cathedral would take at least a couple of years and require major funding.

DESS official says state should not govern the Church

A DESS official called for cooperation between the state and the Church for the benefit of citizens.