OCU raiders attempt to seize UOC church in Mykhalcha

On April 10, 2022, raiders from the OCU, together with armed people, undertook another seizure of the Assumption church of the UOC in the village of Mykhalcha, the press service of the Chernivtsi-Bukovyna diocese reports.

At 7:00 a.m., believers came to the Sunday service and saw that all the gates were tied with chains and the entrance to the temple was blocked.

There were armed people in military uniform in the territory of the temple and around the church fence.

There are checkpoints at the entrance to the village of Mykhalcha, which prevent citizens of Ukraine to enter the village.

Recall that the Mykhalcha Orthodox religious community has been holding a round-the-clock prayer standing for the right to profess the Orthodox Faith for 1155 days in a row.

“Deputy Head of the Main Directorate of the National Police in the Chernivtsi region Sviatoslav Kishlar personally supervises the expulsion of the Orthodox community of the UOC from the territory of the temple, giving precedence to the people with spray cans and batons, who occupied the Orthodox church in Mykhalcha village this morning,” the diocese noted.

In the video, the rector of the parish, Priest Sergiy Tsurkan, prays to the Most Holy Theotokos to protect the faithful and the Orthodox shrine of Mykhalcha village.

As the UOJ reported earlier, Mykhalcha believers told how they had been protecting the temple from seizure for 3 years.

Read also

UN report: Authorities have not ceased pressure on the UOC

The UN has noted violations of believers' rights in Ukraine.

Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra case to be heard by the Supreme Court

The hearing date will be announced later.

Metropolitan Luke to the faithful: It is important for us to remain as one

According to the hierarch, where there is unity, support, care, and mutual understanding among believers, the suffering and joy of one person impacts the entire community.

UOC wins appeal over demolition of Tithe Church

UOC defenders will now prove in the first-instance court the illegality of the demolition of the Tithe Monastery's church, destroyed by the Ministry of Culture in May 2024.

Constitutional Court to review the legality of alternative service norm

A complaint has been filed requesting a review of the law's compliance with Article 35 of the Constitution.

UOC cleric: Those who joined OCU abandoned the cross, afraid to follow Christ

Archpriest Vasyl Balan called for prayers that God would give the strength and faith to carry one’s cross to the end.