Khmelnytskyi Eparchy comments on seizure of the church in Pylypy
Church in the village of Pylypy. Photo: Khmelnytskyi Eparchy of the UOC
On July 16, authorities and supporters of the OCU forcibly seized the St. Nicholas Church in the village of Pylypy, Khmelnytskyi district (Krasyliv deanery), reports the Khmelnytskyi Eparchy.
The seizure of the church was overseen by A. Chernievych, a deputy of the Khmelnytskyi district council, V. Polishchuk, the head of the village of Pylypy, S. Bobukh, N. Svystun, Y. Babiychuk, and other OCU supporters among the authorities.
The religious community, together with their rector, Archpriest Valentyn Savchuk, remains fully within the Ukrainian Orthodox Church under the leadership of its Primate, His Beatitude Metropolitan Onuphry of Kyiv and All Ukraine.
"The liturgical life of the community continues. On Sunday, July 21, 2024, the Divine Liturgy will be celebrated in a room repurposed for a church, located next to the seized one," the diocese's press service reported.
As reported by the UOJ, in May 2024, OCU supporters announced the seizure of churches in the town of Krasyliv and the village of Pylypy. However, at that time, the UOC religious community managed to defend their shrine.
Read also
Pat. Bartholomew: It Is a ‘Grave Sin’ To Put Politics Before Church Unity
"Those who jeopardize this unity in the name of geopolitical expediencies and base motives for acquiring earthly power—falsely cloaked in spirituality—commit an offense before God and a grave sin," the Ecumenical Patriarch said.
OCA Chancellor Visits Romania and Czech Lands and Slovakia
Archpriest Alessandro Margheritino represents Met. Tikhon at major church events and meetings with hierarchs of sister Churches.
Procession Held in Honor of St. Gabriel of Georgia
On Nov. 1, clergy, Mother Paraskeva, and Russian, Ukrainian, and Georgian faithful took part in a procession from the house of St. Gabriel the Confessor and Fool-for-Christ to the Samtavro Monastery.
Hierarchs of UOC Appeal to Zelenskyy in Defense of Met. Arseny
The episcopate of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church called on Zelenskyy to stop the persecution of Met. Arseny and to ensure he receives medical treatment.
Moscow Synod Declares Day of Prayer Against Abortion
The Synod also revived the annual All-Moscow Cross Procession as a symbol of faith and unity.
Abp. John of Albania Meets with Pope Leo
Leaders discuss global peace, youth, and Christian cooperation at interfaith event.