UOC Parish Faces Seizure After Military Administrative Order

Photo: Dozor Telegram channel

KUZMYN, UKRAINE — As previously reported by UOJ-Ukraine, authorities in Ukraine’s Khmelnytskyi Region have ordered the re-registration of the religious community of the Church of the Nativity of the Most Holy Theotokos in the village of Kuzmyn into the jurisdiction of the state-backed Orthodox Church of Ukraine (OCU), despite objections from the parish’s Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC) faithful. The move was first reported by the Dozor Telegram channel.

Documents obtained by their editorial office show that the order was signed on January 14, 2026, by Serhii Tiurin, head of the Khmelnytskyi Regional Military Administration, approving amendments to the parish charter. UOC representatives say the changes were based on falsified paperwork produced by OCU activists.

The Khmelnytskyi Eparchy previously declared the assembly cited by officials (to justify the transfer) illegal, stating it was held without the participation of actual parishioners. Orthodox journalists warned that by legalizing what they describe as forged documents, authorities have effectively paved the way for a forceful seizure of the church.

As previously reported by UOJ, the Kuzmyn parish has appealed internationally for protection. In December, the community sent a video appeal to U.S. Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (R-FL), asking her to intervene. Rep. Luna publicly acknowledged the appeal, saying she would document attempted church seizures and hold Ukrainian officials accountable. She specifically referenced Kuzmyn, warning that there would be consequences if the parish were taken from its faithful.

Local parishioners fear the re-registration order now makes a physical takeover of the church imminent.

Previously, the UOJ reported that OCU clergy reframe such church "re-registrations" as a path to victory. 

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