OCU Cleric Targets Businessman Over UOC Church Support

Roman Grishchuk and Andriy Biba. Photos: Roman Grishchuk / Facebook

RIVNE REGION, UKRAINE — Roman Grishchuk, a cleric of the state-backed Orthodox Church of Ukraine (OCU) known for organizing disputed church takeovers, has launched a public campaign against businessman Andriy Biba. The campaign followed reports that Biba helped finance the construction of a Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC) temple in the village of Pochapky, consecrated on February 15, 2026.

Grishchuk called on “patriots” via his Facebook page to avoid the BRSM-Nafta gas station network, which Biba owns, framing the entrepreneur’s support of the UOC as allegiance to the “Russian world.” The cleric also cited Biba’s inclusion on the controversial Peacemaker website as a consequence of his assistance to the UOC.

The Rivne Eparchy of the UOC expressed gratitude to Biba for his contributions to the temple, noting this was not his first act of support for UOC church construction. The incident highlights ongoing tensions between the OCU and the UOC over property and community influence.

Previously, the UOJ reported that the OCU said its presence abroad was coordinated with the Ecumenical Patriarch. 

Read also