Kruty believers disrupt provocation of UOC KP supporters and radicals

Hundreds of believers of the St. Michael’s community, outraged by the deception, gathered to prevent a provocation. Photo: Nezhin Eparchy

On June 1, 2019, in the village of Kruty of the Nezhin District, representatives of the Kiev Patriarchate and several people who do not attend divine services announced a meeting on behalf of St. Michael’s Community of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, reports the press service of the Nezhin Eparchy.

Hundreds of believers of St. Michael’s community, outraged by the deception, gathered to prevent a provocation.

As it turned out, one of the provocateurs had the documents prepared for transferring the religious community to the UOC KP. The UOC believers unanimously demanded an end to the encroachments on the religious peace in the village by the Kiev Patriarchate.

According to eyewitnesses, instead of explaining their actions, the schismatics insulted the community representatives. One of them, a member of the VO “Svoboda”, said that the believers are a “flock” and the locals are “not people”.

In the end, the provocateurs had to disperse with nothing.

The parishioners explain that the instigator of the provocation is a local resident of Kruty, who the villagers refused to elect as the head of the village. Still cherishing the hope to occupy the desired position, he tries to constantly provoke a conflict in the village, making enough of a nuisance of himself.
The second organizer of the incident, Sergei Chutchenko, a representative of the Kiev Patriarchate, has to look for a place for services in various adapted premises after his fellows kicked him out of the UOC KP church in Nezhin.

To put an end to the provocations, on the same day, believers of St. Michael’s parish gathered in their church to thank God, who keeps them in the true Church and the purity of the Orthodox faith, and hold an open meeting of the parish.

Those present at this meeting unanimously expressed their desire to remain under the jurisdiction of the canonical Ukrainian Orthodox Church headed by its Primate, His Beatitude Metropolitan Onuphry of Kiev and All Ukraine. The decision was documented in the protocol and notified to the authorities of the Chernigov region on the same day.

As reported earlier, this is already the second attempt to shatter the religious situation in the village. The first provocation took place in the spring of this year. Despite the fact that the provocateurs were backed by district authorities, it ended without any result.

Read also

Prayers further offered for imprisoned UOJ journalists at Lavra's standing

People pray to the Lord to protect the "prisoners of conscience" from all sorrow, trouble, need, and illness.

Metropolitan Theodosiy's house arrest extended

The bishop participated in the hearing via videoconference, but opponents of the UOC were active near the courthouse.

Dumenko and Zoria discuss combating "Russian World" with Minister of Culture

Tochytskyi and representatives of the OCU discussed countering Russia’s attempts to destroy Ukraine's national identity.

Greek theologian: Religious situation in Ukraine divides Orthodoxy

According to the Greek theologian, "many Ukrainian Orthodox worshippers have been hesitant to leave the church under the Moscow Patriarchate and join the independent Orthodox Church of Ukraine, fearing a potential excommunication for being schismatics."  

OCU cleric blames TRC for forced mobilization and kidnapping of parishioners

It is reported that the mobilized person was helping with repair work in the church.

Greek theologian explains why Churches do not accuse ROC Primate of heresy

A professor from the University of Athens explained why no Orthodox Church had condemned Patriarch Kirill as heretic so far.