OCU "hierarch": Only those who go to church can join us

"Bishop" Feognost of Chernivtsi and Bukovyna, OCU. Photo: acc.cv.ua

In an interview with ACC, "Bishop" Feognost of Chernivtsi and Bukovyna of the OCU emphasized the importance of following legal procedures when moving to the OCU.

According to him, "only the community can make the transition", and his eparchy is working to explain the correct way to do this to the people.

"There must be parishioners who go to this church, pray there and will continue to pray in this church, but now as part of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine," he stated.

Feognost noted that in his region, one parish a month transfers to the OCU. "Of course, this is not much," he said, adding that he is grateful to those who join his structure because they "choose the truth and stand on the side of justice".

As reported by the UOJ, on 10 September, raiders from the OCU seized St’s Michael’s Church of the UOC in the village of Zeleniv, Bukovyna. The raiders cut the locks on the church doors with an angle grinder and broke a window to gain entry.

Read also

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.

EXCLUSIVE: Leaked Ukrainian Memo Says Religious Freedom is ‘Achilles Heel’

In an emergency strategy meeting held in response to the Society of St. John's Day of Action, D.C.-based Ukrainian lobbyists acknowledged the weight of the religious freedom issue as it pertains to the Ukrainian government’s public perception.