In Glyboka, OCU is preparing to seize the Intercession Church

Intercession Church of the UOC in the village of Glybokaia. Photo: Hliboka News

In the Bukovynian village of Hlyboka (Glybokaia), activists from the Orthodox Church of Ukraine (OCU) are preparing a forcible takeover of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church’s (UOC) Intercession Church, according to information passed to the Union of Orthodox Journalists (UOJ) by sources close to the issue.

On the morning of February 14, 2025, the Intercession parish held a religious assembly, during which 935 members voted to remain within the Ukrainian Orthodox Church under the leadership of His Beatitude Metropolitan Onuphry.

Later that same day, a separate group—comprising individuals unconnected to the Intercession parish—convened and unilaterally "transferred" two UOC parishes: one dedicated to the Intercession of the Most Holy Theotokos, and another to the Exaltation of the Cross of the Lord.

At 3:00 p.m., UOC clergy and faithful processed to the site with banners, crosses, and icons to express their commitment to the UOC. However, they were barred from entering by hired security.

On February 17, the Intercession community of Hlyboka released a video appeal to U.S. Vice President Vance, seeking protection.

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