Police Expel UOC Priest and Parishioners From Church in Biloziria

BILOZIRIA, CHERKASY REGION — Police officers and men in military uniforms entered the historic Transfiguration Church in Biloziria following a Divine Liturgy and removed a Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC) priest and several parishioners who were holding a memorial service, according to the Dozor Telegram channel.

The security forces reportedly told the priest to leave and declared that the church now belonged to the Orthodox Church of Ukraine (OCU). When local believers sought an explanation from the village council, officials reportedly said that a “community” had completed a process transferring the church to the OCU.

The incident occurred after most parishioners had already left the church following the Divine Liturgy. The account describes the action as the seizure of the historic UOC church by security personnel and individuals wearing military uniforms.

Ukrainian parliamentarian Serhii Rudyk, who supports the OCU, said services of the organization were expected to begin in the church on September 27. According to the report, OCU supporters in Biloziria already have another church building, which was constructed with Rudyk’s assistance, but nevertheless sought control of the historic Transfiguration Church.

The reported seizure is the latest dispute involving ownership and worship rights at UOC parishes amid continuing transfers of religious communities to the OCU.

Previously, the UOJ reported that a UOC community warned of an imminent church seizure in Yakushyntsi.