In Vaslovivtsi, visiting titushki in balaclavas seize UOC church
Church raiders in Vaslovivtsi. Photo: Telegram channel of the Chernivtsi Eparchy
On 19 October 2023, two dozen unknown people in camouflage and balaclavas with the support of the police seized the Dormition Church of the UOC in the village of Vaslovivtsi, Chernivtsi region, reports the Telegram channel of the Chernivtsi-Bukovyna Eparchy.
"Titushki" (men of strong build) cut the locks off the doors of the temple, formed a chain and took control of the building, not allowing the faithful to the shrine.
The eparchy published a photo of the bus that brought the bandits, with the number CE 8842 VK, and indicated that the same bus brought the militants to seize the temple in the village of Staray Zhadova. It is not yet known whether the same persons took over the temples in both villages.
The eparchy reported that the authorities brought TCC to the village to hand out summonses to the temple defenders. In particular, they tried to hand a summons to the rector.
Parishioners in Vaslavivtsi defended their temple from bandits for 1,725 days and say they do not intend to retreat. "This is our faith – we have nowhere to retreat to. Those 20 bandits will work off their money and leave, while we have to live in the village, baptise and wed our children. How can we live without a temple?" say members of the community.
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.