In Khmelnytskyi region, deputy fails to transfer UOC community to OCU

MP Chernievich speaks in Kreminna. Photo: tv7plus

On 18 February 2024 in the village of Kreminna, Khmelnytsky region, Khmelnytsky district council deputy Oleksandr Chernievich organised a meeting of villagers in the House of Culture on the transfer of the Holy Cross Church of the UOC to the OCU, sources in the community told the UOJ.

Members of the religious community headed by the rector Archpriest Oleksandr Yatsiyko also came to the meeting. However, neither the speech of Chernievich himself, who insulted parishioners during the discussion, nor the words of the OCU "dean" who came with Chernievich could convince the villagers of the need for a switch to the OCU.

The rector warned the people that "transition" would entail conflicts and hostility that would last for years, as is happening in other villages where communities were forcibly transferred against their will.

As a result, the supporters of "transition" were in the minority, and Chernievich left with nothing. The religious community decided to introduce services in Ukrainian.

The Church of the Nativity of the Mother of God belongs to the Kamianets-Podilskyi diocese of the UOC. It was built in 2000 and consecrated by Metropolitan Feodor of Kamianets-Podilskyi. The current church was erected on the site of the church destroyed  by the Bolsheviks in 1930.

Earlier, the UOJ wrote that the head of the Khmelnytskyi district council, who massively transferred communities to the OCU, was fired.

Read also

Cherkasy Bishop Urges Pat. Bartholomew to Revoke Legalization of OCU

In an open letter to the Ecumenical Patriarch, Met. Theodosiy of Cherkasy and Kaniv stressed that simply withdrawing the Tomos is no longer sufficient under current circumstances.

Fr. Alex Karloutsos Elevated to Megas Protopresbyteros

The title, which means “grand archpriest,” means Karloutsos is now the first priest under the jurisdiction of the Ecumenical Patriarchate. The announcement came before another surprise – his church was raised to the status of cathedral, and he is its dean.

Pat. Bartholomew Celebrates Divine Liturgy in the Hamptons

Following the liturgy, Fr. Alexander Karloutsos was raised to the rank of Megas Protopresbyteros and the Dormition of the Virgin Mary Greek Orthodox Church of the Hamptons was elevated to the status of Cathedral.

YouTube Deletes Channel of Greek UOJ

Greek branch of Union of Orthodox Journalists condemns move as censorship and an attempt to silence a voice defending Orthodoxy.

Texas Gov. Cracks Down on Abortion Pill

The legislation targets a “global abortion pill syndicate." Exemptions allow for legitimate medical uses, like treating ectopic pregnancies.

Ukraine Ramps Up Efforts to Ban UOJ Globally

UOJ’s website has been blocked in Ukraine since 2022, and recent moves target its global reach, including the recent removal of its Greek-language YouTube channel.