A new attempt to seize UOC temple in Luka-Meleshkovskaya

The Savior-Transfiguration Church, Luka-Meleshkovskaya. Photo: zruchno.travel

On June 30, 2019, the Vinnitsa Eparchy reported that at the moment supporters of the OCU are trying to seize the Savior-Transfiguration Church in the village of Luka-Meleshkovskaya, Vinnitsa district.

“And again Luka-Meleshkovskaya. Right now. Another provocation: several dozens of activists of the OCU and nationalists led by priest Chverkun are attempting to storm the temple. The Orthodox, stand strong! Those capable should help in Luka!” the eparchy calls.

As the UOJ reported, in the middle of June 2019, OCU activists already attempted to seize the Savior-Transfiguration Church in the village of Luka-Meleshkovskaya. Representatives of the Vinnitsa Eparchy said that a group of supporters of the OCU of about 100 people tried to illegally get inside the church, motivating their actions by the fact that the community was re-registered to the OCU. The re-registration was illegal and took place exclusively at the initiative of the new church structure headed by V. Yurchenko, a local deputy, and the believers of the Savior-Transfiguration Church themselves unanimously confirmed their loyalty to the Ukrainian Orthodox Church. The main instigators of the illegal re-registration of the temple were summoned to court. However, despite this, they, led by the OCU “priest” Viktor Chverkun, made an attempt to seize the temple.

Read also

OCU chaplain: A soldier should not feel guilty for killing enemies

According to a cleric of the OCU, the word “killing” should not even be used in this context.

AFU servicewoman punished by “being sent to the frontline” for defending UOC

An OCU representative explained how commanders punish UOC believers who defend their Church.

UOC church seized after OCU's and UGCC's provocation at soldier's funeral

Supporters of the UGCC brought the body of a soldier into the church, pressuring a UOC priest to conduct the funeral according to the Greek Catholic rite in an Orthodox church.

UOC hierarch calls on the faithful to pray for the return of seized shrine

Metropolitan Theodosiy urged the faithful to communal and personal prayer to Archangel Michael.

Russian Orthodox Church Primate: Christ did not condemn death penalty

The Patriarch added that, although the Church does not welcome the death penalty, it has never condemned it if this punishment is carried out in accordance with the law.

Metropolitan Jonathan appeals sentence to Supreme Court

The Supreme Court has requested criminal case files from the Vinnytsia City Court for cassation review.