Congregation of the church in Ptycha village received Orthodox sanctities despite the UOC KP attempts to spoil the holiday

On the Day when the Church reveres Dormition of the Holy Mother of God – Dedication day of the church in Ptycha village of Rivne diocese, the faithful of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church were meeting Orthodox sanctities from the whole Orthodox world: a Piece of the Life-giving Cross of the Lord, relics of the Venerable Theodore, Prince of Ostrog, and Saint Nicholas the Miracle-Worker of Myra. It is reported by the diocese’s site.

According to the rural dean of the 1^st Dubno district, Archpriest Anatoliy Bogdanov, in order to avoid conflict situations, the UOC community suggested that each community holds their worships on their church side rather than organizing cross processions on the church premises. It was also agreed on by the police representatives, who maintain public order in the village.

However, representatives of the Kiev Patriarchate were not happy about such decision. “They declared that unless they were allowed to hold a cross procession around the church, they wouldn’t let anybody ontu the territory. I don’t want to comment on this strange statement; our Lord calls us to have humbleness. Despite the fact the church belongs to our community by all documents, we even agreed to the KP believers being the first to walk around the church in the cross procession,” said archpriest Anatoliy Bogdanov. 

“These temptations” as the local believers referred to this situation did not stand in that way of collective festivity. During the conciliar night vigil, within the Cross procession held in Dubno district, sanctities from the entire Orthodox world arrived here: a Piece of the Life-giving Cross of the Lord, relics of the Venerable Theodore, Prince of Ostrog, and Saint Nicholas the Miracle-Worker of Myra. Given that the accommodation could not room the whole community, the worship was held outdoors, in the church yard.

it will be reminded that for nearly a year the local community prays in the adjusted facility – a garage near the priest’s house. Currently there is temporary truce in the village. The KP members incite conflicts regularly, put forward property claims for the church they cannot own according to the 4 court decisions; block the entrance for the faithful of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church.

Read also