Standing Beside Dumenko, MP Huz Threatens UOC Monasteries from the Ambo

The Holy Dormition Zymne Convent of the UOC. Photo: ukrainetrek.com

VOLODYMYR, UKRAINE — As reported by UOJ-Ukraine, during a “liturgy” led by Epifaniy Dumenko of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine (OCU) at the Dormition Cathedral of Volodymyr, People’s Deputy Ihor Huz publicly threatened two ancient monasteries of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC) in Volyn.

Speaking from the ambo in a church previously seized from UOC believers, Huz declared the state’s readiness to “act” against the Zymne Sviatohirsk Convent and the Holy Dormition Monastery in Nyzkynychi. He specifically addressed the abbess of the Zymne Convent, urging her “not to wait” and to “show consciousness” by voluntarily transferring the monastery to the OCU, warning that otherwise “the state will be forced to act.”

Huz’s remarks were delivered in the immediate presence of Dumenko, who raised no objection. The setting underscored the political character of the statements, as the threats were voiced not at a rally or parliamentary session, but during a religious rite conducted by the head of the OCU.

These declarations directly echo Huz’s statements from November 2025, when he met with Dumenko in Kyiv and openly discussed plans to seize the same two monasteries. At that time, Huz reported that he had invited Dumenko to conduct a “service” at the Holy Dormition Cathedral of Volodymyr.

Previously, the UOJ reported that Metr. Volodymyr responded to threats of forced seizure of the UOC Holy Dormition Cathedral. 

Read also