UOC cleric: Blood and seizure of temples – such is Phanar head’s “love”

Archpriest Vitaly Chersky, a cleric of the Chernivtsi-Bukovina Eparchy. Photo: a screenshot of the video from the "1 Kozak" Youtube channel

Blood and seizures – such is the "love" of Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople. Archpriest Vitaly Chersky, the rector of the UOC Church of the icon of the Mother of God "Life-Giving Spring" in the village of Mykhailivka, Chernivtsi region, said this during the prayer standing in Kyiv on August 21. The video of the speech of the cleric of the Chernivtsi-Bukovina Eparchy was published by the "1 Kozak" channel.

The priest noted that instead of peace, tranquility and unity, the Phanar head brought “the love of strife” to Ukraine, and the Chernivtsi region felt its consequences.

“Our churches have been seized; there are also churches where they still perform round-the-clock prayer standing. This is our Mykhailivka, Chervona Dibrova, Boyanchuk, Goroshivtsi, Zavoloka, Mykhalcha, Ryngach, Yasenia, Kalnivtsi, Stara Zhadova, Dobrynivtsy, Vaslivtsi, Berezhnitsa and, the most painful, Zadubrivka where, on the day of it rector's death, blood was shed,” Father Vitaly said.

As reported, now the UOC community in the village of Mykhailivka is praying in a new church, which they managed to build in a year instead of the seized one by the OCU.

Read also

UOC Hierarch: The Church Does Not Endorse 'Holy War' Concept

"The assertion that the so-called 'special military operation' is a 'Holy War' contradicts the basic principles of Christian morality," Metr. Yevlohiy said.

Georgian Bishops Finalize Procedures for Patriarchal Election

Head of public relations for the Georgian Church says bishops finalized election procedures while emphasizing unity ahead of the patriarchal council.

SVS Press Releases New Volume by St. Maximus the Confessor

The publisher's new St. Maximus volume explores the theological foundations of Orthodox Christology and the defense of Chalcedon.

Abp. Daniel Announces Synodal Clergy Awards in Chicago Diocese

The Orthodox Church in America's Synodal awards recognized clergy across multiple ranks for dedicated service in the Midwestern diocese.

Registration Opens for First OCA-Wide Clergy Wives Retreat

The Orthodox Church in America’s first churchwide clergy wives retreat aims to strengthen ministry families through prayer, fellowship, and renewal.

Kimberly Guilfoyle Meets Ecumenical Patriarch in Athens

Kimberly Guilfoyle’s meeting with Patr. Bartholomew highlighted support for religious freedom and the global mission of the Orthodox Church.