UOC Reports Disruption of Outdoor Service in Ukraine

KREMENCHUK, UKRAINE — As reported by UOJ-Ukraine, members of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC) say representatives of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine (OCU) attempted to disrupt an outdoor worship service after the UOC community lost access to Holy Trinity Church, which was seized earlier this summer.

According to the Telegram channel Dozor Kozak, the UOC parish gathered for prayer at the site of a former church that had been demolished after Holy Trinity Church was taken over in early June. During the service, OCU representatives, led by Feodosiy Ovcharuk and activist Olha Ponomarenko, reportedly arrived at the location.

Witnesses cited by the report alleged that the group attempted to interrupt the service by speaking loudly, shouting insults, and demanding that the worshippers produce permits authorizing the outdoor gathering. Parishioners said the actions interfered with the community's prayers and heightened tensions at the site.

According to the UOC faithful, police officers and representatives of Ukraine's Territorial Recruitment Center (TRC) were subsequently called to the scene. Parishioners reported that recruitment center personnel took two members of the congregation away, including a monk whom they said suffers from health problems.

Previously, the UOJ reported that a UOC priest was taken into custody outside a Kyiv church.