OCU cleric labels Sts. Matrona and Xenia as "psychotic Russians"

Icon of Xenia of St. Petersburg. Photo: Open Sources

Roman Hryshchuk, a "priest" of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine (OCU), attended the funeral service of a Ukrainian Armed Forces soldier at the UOC’s St. Nicholas Church and told those present that they were under "Moscow occupation", justifying his claim by pointing to the presence of certain saints' icons in the church.

In a Facebook post, Hryshchuk stated that these saints include the Royal Martyrs, Matrona of Moscow, and Xenia of St. Petersburg, whom he described as "psychotic Russians".

"It’s very easy to identify churches occupied by Moscow," Hryshchuk assured. "They always have icons of the Russian trinity: Xenia of St. Petersburg, Matrona of Moscow, and Russian Emperor Nicholas II, to remind people whose imperial fist they are living under."

As previously reported by the UOJ, Roman Hryshchuk once shared proof of his mental health status.

Read also

HCHC Community Holds All-Night Vigil Honoring Philoptochos Society and Its Patron Saints

Special prayers offered for members of the National Board and all Philoptochos chapters in gratitude for their decades of support.

Georgian Church Resumes Construction After Miracle

The foundation of a church was blessed at Georgia's Oncology Center — construction resumes on the Church of Ss. Panteleimon the Healer and John the Baptist.

BREAKING: Met. Arseny Hospitalized After Falling Ill During Court Hearing

Faithful urged to pray as proceedings in Sviatohirsk hierarch’s case continue daily.

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.