In Ukraine, Foundation of New Church Consecrated to Replace Seized One

Prayer service at the laying of the church foundation. Photo: UOJ-Ukraine (SPZh)

VASLOVIVTSI — On Sept. 22, 2025, in the Bukovyna village of Vaslovivtsi, the foundation of a new Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC) temple in honor of the Dormition of the Most Holy Theotokos was laid, the community told UOJ-Ukraine (SPZh). The laying of the foundation and its consecration were led by Met. Meletiy of Chernivtsi and Bukovyna. Bishop Nikita of Ivano-Frankivsk and the clergy of the Chernivtsi Eparchy also took part in the service. Several dozen parishioners prayed at the consecration ceremony.

As a reminder, in October 2023, on the 1,725th day of the UOC believers’ continuous prayer vigil at the parish of the Dormition of the Most Holy Theotokos, supporters of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine (OCU), together with mercenaries in balaclavas and backed by the police, seized the church.

Since then, the persecuted community of Vaslovivtsi has been forced to hold divine services outdoors or in a tent near a small chapel.

Previously, UOJ reported that Fr. Vladimir Shkvarok, a priest of the UOC, has been found guilty of holding a procession around his church located at a hospital in August.

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