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# Ukraine Parishioners Abandon Cathedral Taken by OCU
- URL: https://uoj.news/news/86333-ukraine-parishioners-abandon-cathedral-taken-by-ocu/
- Published: 2026-02-04T09:30:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-09-25T16:12:04.000Z
- Description: Parishioners abandon Vladimir Cathedral after it is seized by the OCU from the canonical UOC.
- Author: Tobias Straney
- Tags: #Category: News, UOC, Ukraine, OCU, Church seizures

**VOLODYMYR, UKRAINE —** Just days after the first liturgy was celebrated at the Vladimir Cathedral under the Orthodox Church of Ukraine (OCU), attendance has [sharply declined](https://www.facebook.com/story.php?story%5Ffbid=1293282802639945&id=100058747118191&rdid=6BJ3r0Ocd43iEvKw). Photos from the February 2 service, taken after Metr. Epiphany and members of the Rada departed, show only a handful of faithful present.

The drop comes amid local discontent over the OCU’s takeover of the cathedral from the canonical Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC). Dumenko's supporters triumphantly showed photos of a packed first liturgy. But many parishioners who had attended the initial service reportedly left in protest, unwilling to participate in a church now controlled by the schismatic OCU. While the first service had been widely publicized as a triumph for the OCU, the empty nave highlights that support among the local Orthodox faithful remains limited.

[![](https://uoj.news/content/images/2026/02/86587-uoc-forced-out-of-historic-kiev-monastery-image-99667a273046.jpg)On this topicStanding Beside Dumenko, MP Huz Threatens UOC Monasteries from the Ambo](https://uoj.news/news/86327-standing-beside-dumenko-mp-huz-threatens-uoc-monasteries-from-the-ambo/)

The situation underscores ongoing tensions in Bukovina, where state-supported efforts to transfer UOC churches to the OCU continue to face resistance from parish communities loyal to the canonical Church.

Previously, the [UOJ reported](https://uoj.news/news/85162-dumenko-announces-service-in-seized-uoc-cathedral-of-cherkasy/) that Dumenko announced a church service in the occupied UOC Cathedral of Cherkasy.