OCU “bishop” breaks into raided church through UOC believers in Vaslovivtsi

In order to “pray” in the “transitioned” church, “Metropolitan” Danil Kovalchuk had to literally push his way through the parishioners of the UOC.

On October 19, 2023, "Metropolitan" Daniil Kovalchuk of the OCU arrived to "take over" the Assumption Church of the UOC in Vaslovivtsi, Chernivtsi Oblast. A corresponding video was published on the Telegram channel of the Chernivtsi Eparchy.

In order to "pray" in the taken-over church, Kovalchuk had to literally push his way through dozens of genuine parishioners of the UOC who were being blocked and not allowed inside by individuals wearing masks.

"In Vaslovivtsi, Daniil, the head of one of the three eparchies of the OCU in Bukovyna, came to take the stolen property. Metropolitan Daniil of the OCU is a well-known figure in Bukovina who preaches the truth that the Holy Spirit descended upon Petro Poroshenko. Now he has brought this spirit into this sacred abode," ironically commented the press service of the Chernivtsi Eparchy of the UOC.

Recall that on January 27, 2019, after an attempt by the authorities to transfer the church to the OCU, the UOC community in Vaslovovtsi began continuous prayer vigils. During this period, believers had to endure persecution from local authorities, bullying of children at school, and attempted takeovers. The faithful appealed to local authorities to stop the pressure on the UOC and recorded a video message to the President of Ukraine.

Earlier, the UOJ reported that in Vaslovivtsi, visiting thugs in balaclavas seized the UOC church.

Read also

ROCOR Priest Reflects on Trip to Capitol Hill

Archpriest Victor Boldewskul participated in the Society of St. John of Shanghai and San Francisco's Day of Action to raise awareness about the persecution of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church.

Hundreds of Chinese Christians Arrested in Pre-Christmas Crackdown

Hundreds of Chinese Christians face spending Christmas in detention after authorities launched a sweeping pre-holiday crackdown on churches under Beijing’s campaign to control religious life.

Ukraine Adviser: UOC Not Banned, but Offered a 'Choice' of Jurisdictions

A Ukrainian presidential adviser said the UOC is not banned but pressured to choose between joining the OCU, submitting to Constantinople, or remaining unregistered, while dismissing international concerns as propaganda.

Indiana Reports 98% Drop in Abortions Under Stricter Law

Indiana’s latest health report shows a 98% drop in reported abortions under stricter laws, though dozens still occurred under legal exceptions and concerns persist about unreported pill abortions.

Armenian Apostolic Church Pushes Back on Political Encroachment

The Armenian Apostolic Church plans to appeal to international bodies to resist government interference and defend its clergy and sacred relics.

Attempted Takeover at Armenian Etchmiadzin Cathedral Thwarted by Faithful

Supporters of Armenian PM Pashinyan attempted to storm Etchmiadzin Cathedral amid calls for the Catholicos’s resignation but were blocked by parishioners and security.