OCU Claims New Church in Cherkasy as 'Consecration' Covers Forced Transfer

"Epiphany" Dumenko at the "consecration" of the UOC church. Photo: OCU

PISCHANE — On Nov. 30, 2025, Orthodox Church of Ukraine (OCU) head Serhii Dumenko “consecrated” the Trinity Church in the village of Pischane, Cherkasy region — a parish that the OCU says was “transferred” from the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC) earlier this year. The OCU’s announcement omitted that the transfer was carried out under pressure, presenting the church as if it had been built by an OCU parish from the outset.

As reported by UOJ-Ukraine, members of the Trinity community told UOJ that construction began in 2013 under UOC rector Fr. Liubomyr Malechkovych and was financed by the local agricultural firm “Mayak,” led by director Mykola Semenovych Vasylenko. Parishioners say the company agreed to fund the new church in exchange for temporary use of an adapted worship space, though it later assumed control over parish accounts, creating ongoing tension.

According to the faithful, Vasylenko repeatedly affirmed that the church was being built for the UOC community. By the time construction neared completion, services were already taking place in the new sanctuary, and several UOC hierarchs — including Metropolitan Pavlo of Vyshhorod — had visited.

In 2025, however, Vasylenko came under pressure from authorities to “transfer” the church to the OCU. While the building was handed over, the parish did not follow, and UOC faithful continue worshiping in an adapted facility.

Previously, UOJ reported that militants seized the UOC's historic Transfiguration Cathedral in Cherkasy.

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