Vandals desecrate UOC church in Pasichna village, Kyiv region
Vandalism in the UOC church in Pasichna. Photo: Facebook of Fr. Ioan Omelchuk
On December 11, unknown individuals desecrated the Holy Trinity Church of the UOC in the village of Pasichna in the Kyiv region. According to the parish priest, Archpriest Ioan Omelchuk, who reported the incident on Facebook, the vandals broke the front doors to gain entry to the church.
The priest shared photos showing the damage: the cross above the gates was bent, and inside the church, candles and sacred items were scattered. At the scene, the vandals left behind a knife and an empty bottle of sacramental wine.
"We hope the appropriate authorities will find the perpetrators, and we will pray for these people with the words of the Savior: 'Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do,'" wrote Fr. Ioan.
As previously reported, in May 2022, activists from the OCU organized a community meeting to seize the Holy Trinity Church of the UOC in Pasichna. The parish continues to fight for the right to worship in their sanctity. In October, hearings were held in Kyiv's Economic Court regarding the illegal re-registration of the church by OCU representatives.
Read also
Pat. Bartholomew Arrives in NYC
A patriarchal doxology was held at the St. Nicholas National Shrine early Thursday afternoon, with former Vice President Mike Pence making an appearance.
National Antiochian Orthodox Choir to Perform at Carnegie Hall
Those who wish to join the choir as singers must submit their applications by this Sunday, September 21.
Orthodoxy Grows in West with Baptisms in Chile and Netherlands
Converts were received into the Romanian Orthodox Metropolia of the Americas and the Serbian Orthodox Eparchy of Western Europe, respectively.
Theophilos Greets Kirill After Snubbing Bartholomew
The Patriarch of Jerusalem met with the Patriarch of Moscow during a conference in Kazakhstan. Notably, Theophilos avoided meeting the Patriarch of Constantinple during his recent visit to Istanbul.
Abp. Alexei: How to Pray as a Family
"If a family prays together," His Eminence said, "the household becomes a little tower in that vineyard."
Pat. Bartholomew Honors U.S. Traditions, Greek Heritage in Washington Visit
Bartholomew lays wreath at Arlington, meets with U.S. leaders, and blesses faithful in Virginia.