Altar Used as Toilet During Seizure of Ukrainian Cathedral, UOC Clergy Allege

OCU militants on the cathedral grounds. Photo: UOJ's Ukrainian branch (SPZh)

CHERNIVTSI — Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC) representatives have accused militants affiliated with the Orthodox Church of Ukraine (OCU) of desecrating the altar of the Holy Spirit Cathedral during its seizure on June 17, 2025.

According to statements from clergy and parishioners, the militants allegedly urinated and defecated in the altar area, used sacred vessels as toilets, and smoked inside the sanctuary.

Metropolitan Longin of Bancheny and Metropolitan Meletiy of Chernivtsi condemned the actions, with Meletiy stating that the acts committed were too indecent to describe publicly.

Parishioner Ivan Khmelevskyi, speaking in a video interview, confirmed the claims, saying the altar and vestry were both used as toilets during the takeover.

"I'll put it bluntly - they defecated there," he said. "It was inside the cathedral: in the altar and in the vestry."

Previously, UOJ reported that the seizure of the cathedral resulted in serious injuries to multiple priests.

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