UOC cleric: New churches built almost everywhere where there were seizures

Archpriest Victor Zemlianoy. Photo: facebook.com/MitropolitAntoniy

Almost everywhere where schismatics seized churches of the UOC, new ones have already been built, said Archpriest Viktor Zemlianoy, head of the Department for Interfaith Settlement of the Rivne Eparchy of the UOC, during the prayer standing in Kiev on August 21, 2021. A fragment of the speech was published by the "1Kozak" channel.

The clergyman noted that nothing will force the Phanar head to repent for the split committed, but the bitter tears of thousands of people who are crying all over Ukraine today at the seized churches “will not pass in vain because God is the protector of all these people”.

“Where bitter tears are being shed today – we have tears of joy at those churches in the Rivne Eparchy, Polessye, nearby in Volyn, in Ternopil, thank God. Thanks to our kind people, kind hearts, we have already rebuilt almost all the churches where our shrines were seized.

Our communities have not disintegrated, the priests have not betrayed, the believers remain faithful to Christ, our Mother Church, and our Primate,” Archpriest Viktor Zemlianoy emphasized.

Also, the UOJ cleric of the Rivne Eparchy said that the Church Slavonic language is the heritage and wealth of the Ukrainian people.

Read also

Synod of Ukrainian Orthodox Church сanonizes Blessed John Pokhodenchyk

In July of this year, the Commission on the Canonization of Saints reviewed materials regarding the glorification of the ascetic from the Kirovohrad region.

November 2 – International Day to End Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists

Over six months ago, UOJ Orthodox journalists were arrested and placed in detention, facing life sentences for covering the religious situation in Ukraine.

Met. Longin’s lawyer: Judges wanted to ban video recording of the trial

After the judge decided to conduct the session 'in camera', Metropolitan Longin suffered a heart attack.  

Odesa UOC Eparchy: "We can no longer be silent; we will defend the Church"

The press service of the Odesa Eparchy commented on the statement regarding the ROC's actions toward dioceses in occupied territories.

OCU cathedral in Lutsk decorated with frescoes of businessmen

Due to criticism of this initiative, the images had to be redone.

Yelensky on UOC bishops’ statement: We expect an exit from the ROC, not talks

The DESS head suggested that the Primate did not support this statement, as he hadn't put his signature on it.