In vlg Babiyn police officers forcibly drag out priest during church seizure

The rector of the Ascension Church in Babyn. Photo: the press service of the Chernivtsi Eparchy

Police officers stormed the Ascension Church in the village of Babyn, Chernivtsi Eparchy, in order to help the OCU members seize the church, reports the diocese's press service on its Telegram channel.

The police broke into the temple during the performance of Extreme Unction and tried to disrupt the sacrament and drag the rector out into the street.

Archpriest Ioan Protsiuk, the rector of the church, had a hard time persuading the law enforcement officers to allow the sacrament to end.

At the end of the Unction, supporters of the OCU, together with their "priest", tried to force their way into the altar. Father Ioan tried to stop the aggressive activists from desecrating the shrine but was abused by the police.

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.