Supporters of OCU seize Bila Tserkva cathedral with the help of the police

The police do not allow believers of the UOC to the Savior and Transfiguration Cathedral in Bila Tserkva. Photo: screenshot of the UOJ video

OCU activists seized the Transfiguration Cathedral in Bila Tserkva with the actual assistance of the police. Archpriest Valery Yablonskyi, a clergyman of Bila Tserkva, reported this in a commentary to the UOJ.

He said that the Dumenkovites began to cut the door to the cathedral entrance at 6 o'clock in the morning, and at 6:10 the police arrived, but instead of stopping the raiders, the police did not give the UOC believers an opportunity to prevent the raid.

As a result, after a three-hour confrontation, supporters of the OCU together with their "priests" broke into the shrine.

The cathedral has many law enforcement officers who are reportedly conducting investigative actions. Half of the parishioners who came to the church, along with Metropolitan Augustin of Bila Tserkva and Bohuslav and other clergymen, are in the courtyard, they are not allowed inside. The rest of the believers do not manage to enter even the temple territory.

Father Valery did not rule out that the police could seal the cathedral.

Earlier, the UOJ wrote that "Bishop of Bila Tserkva" of the OCU, Eustratiy Zoria, announced that his subordinates had taken over the Savior and Transfiguration Cathedral of the UOC.

Also, the UOJ reported that during the air raid, the police refused to let the parishioners of the cathedral into the shelter, which is located in its basement.

Read also

TRC comments on situation with detention of Metropolitan Longin’s children

The agency reported that after the necessary documents were provided, the man was given the opportunity to formalize a deferral.

Media: Metropolitan Longin’s children released from the TRC

The release was made possible only thanks to the courageous and steadfast position of the metropolitan and the reaction of the entire Orthodox community.

DESS says how many UOC churches have "transferred" to OCU since war started

As of early 2024, there were 10,919 UOC religious organizations in Ukraine, 10,586 of which are religious communities.

Metropolitan Longin to Zelensky: Release my son from TRC

Metropolitan Longin (Zhar) of Bancheny addressed an appeal to the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky.

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.