Two provocations of OCU “priest” disrupted at once in Luka-Meleshkovskaya

"Clergyman" of the new church structure Viktor Chverkun. Photo: orthodox.vinnica.ua

Around 10 pm on October 27, 2019, 20-30 young people led by the cleric of the OCU Viktor Chverkun once again tried to seize the UOC church in the village of Luka-Meleshkovskaya, Vinnitsa Region. This was reported on the website of the Vinnitsa Eparchy of the canonical Church.

The OCU activists at first knocked on the temple door and later tried to break it open.

Law enforcement officers quickly arrived at the scene and recorded the offence.

The offenders could not explain to the police squad why they were in the churchyard at night time.

Then Chverkun said he had allegedly planned to hold “a meeting of the religious community of the OCU near the temple” at such a late hour.

After a while, he arrived at the village council to meet with the chairman of the United Territorial Community and the clergyman of the UOC. The cleric of the canonical Church arrived at the meeting alone, while his opponent brought along 15 followers of the OCU “to be able to convince” the clergyman of the UOC.

“However, even this apparently thought-out provocation was again unsuccessful,” the diocese’s website noted.

Earlier, the believers of Luka-Meleshkovskaya called on President of Ukraine Vladimir Zelensky to protect their temple from raiders.

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.