Raiding in Uspenka: OCU intends to enter the temple
Holy Assumption church in Uspenka village. Photo: Natalia Sheklunova
Believers in the village of Uspenka, Onufriyevo District, Kirovograd Region, told the UOJ that on Friday, November 6 at 11am, supporters of the OCU intend to "go" to the church of the Holy Dormition community of the Alexandria Diocese of the UOC.
The parishioners are alarmed by this information, as there have already been several attempts to seize the temple. The rector and members of the church community are going to pray in front of the church for the preservation of peace in the village.
On December 22, 2019, with the support of the "Right Sector", village residents (68 people) gathered in the Uspenkia village club and called their gathering as the "Parish meeting of the religious community". According to the UOJ, only 5 people out of all those present were members of the religious community. There was also a certain “priest” of the OCU Mikhail from the Kyiv region. The meeting participants voted for passing to the OCU.
On the same day, a meeting of a real religious Holy Dormition community (24 people) took place in the church, whose members unanimously voted for loyalty to the UOC, headed by His Beatitude Onuphry.
The next day there was an attempt to seize the temple, which the believers were able to suppress. Archbishop Bogolep, the ruling bishop of the Diocese of Alexandria, personally came to support the parishioners and called on the authorities to protect the community from the tyranny of the raiders.
However, in August 2020, it became known that the Kirovograd Regional State Administration had secretly re-registered the UOC community in favor of the OCU on July 23. Moreover, the rector, Archpriest John Onisko, and the members of the parish learned about this fact by chance. The community filed an application with the police to resolve the issue in a legal field.
On October 7, members of the OCU tried to take possession of the temple in Uspenka, but the believers managed to defend the shrine.
The UOJ is monitoring the situation.
Read also
Catholic Host of 'Roots of Orthodoxy' Says Orthodox Apologists are 'Disgusting', 'Trash'
"You Orthodox apologists are absolutely freaking disgusting," Cabada said. "You're a disgusting human being. You're trash. I'm not scared to say that."
Rep. Bacon: 'I Don't Think the UOC Takes Orders from Russia'
Earlier this week, the congressman rejected an opportunity for dialogue with members of the Society of St. John who visited his office despite them holding the same viewpoint.
Petition Warns Canada’s Hate Speech Law Could Criminalize Scripture
Thousands of Canadians have signed a petition urging the Liberal government to drop proposed hate-speech changes that critics warn could criminalize quoting the Bible and other religious texts.
JD Vance: Criticizing Israel Is Not Antisemitism
Vice President JD Vance said opposing Israeli policies is not the same as antisemitism, sparking debate over where criticism of Israel ends and hatred of Jews begins.
First Orthodox Prayer Book Published in Indonesian Language
The first Orthodox prayer book in Indonesian has been published and presented in Bekasi, providing local faithful and new converts with a vital resource for prayer and liturgical life.
OCA Joins Legal Challenge to Illinois Abortion Referral Law
Amicus brief argues mandate violates religious freedom and compels pro-life providers to contradict their faith.