Rector of Valaam Metochion visits persecuted UOC community in Karpachov

Rector of the Vallam Metochion, Hegumen Photiy with the UOC clergy in Karpachov. Photo: Facebook page of the Chernivtsi-Bukovyna Eparchy.

On September 21, 2021, the UOC community of the Nativity of the Most Holy Theotokos in the village of Karpachov, Vyzhnytsia Deanery, which suffered as a result of church raiding by the OCU, was visited by the rector of the Valaam Stauropegic Monastery Metochion, Hegumen Photiy (Begal), as reported on the Facebook page of Chernivtsi-Bukovyna Eparchy.

Father Photiy led the All-night Vigil on the eve of the patronal feast of the persecuted community in a temporary church where the UOC believers of Karpachov hold services after the seizure of their church by OCU activists with the support of the authorities. He was concelebrated by the priest Igor Soroka, the rector of the church, and the local clergy.

Hegumen Photiy has been the head of the Priozersk Metochion of the Valaam Monastery since 1991. Recently, by the decree of Patriarch Kirill, he has been appointed head of the Metochion in Sortavala.

As reported, the hierarch of the UOC laid a stone for a new church in Karpachov to replace the seized one.

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