In Kinakhovtsy believers, who were convinced to pass to schism, return to UOC

The community of Saint Apostles Peter and Paul of Kinakhovtsy village, Zbarazh distruct, continues to come to the canonical Orthodox priest for Liturgy services not having lost parishioners after the UOC temple had been illegally seized by the Kyiv Patriarchate. It is reported by the UOJ correspondent.

The number of believers remains stable, in half a year after the start of the interfaith conflict in the service, there are still from 50 to 60 people. According to the parish priest Vitaly Gurev, recently those who’d bought into a persuasion "to go" to the UOC-KP began to return to the canonical fold.

"It is very nice that even if we take yesterday's Sunday service, in spite of the cold, more than fifty people came to our temporary premises," the clergyman said.

On the coming holiday – the day of St. Nicholas – an even greater influx of believers from several neighboring villages is expected, which will traditionally bring with them children. Now the community is preparing for the festive divine service and the joy of prayer with the youngest parishioners.

As for the relationship with the opponents, according to father Vitaly, the conflict in the village has come to nothing: two communities of the two neighboring villages Butin and Kinakhovtsy reregistered in favor of the UOC-KP quietly perform services in a temporary room. The litigation on clashes near the St. Peter and Paul's Church was closed after an amicable agreement was struck with members of the Kyiv Patriarchate.

On May 15, 2017, after the re-registration of the UOC community in Kinakhovtsy into the UOC-KP, the temple, built by the forces of the UOC believers, was taken over by supporters of the Kyiv Patriarchate, ousting believers and the priest of the canonical Church. Believers of the UOC, having lost the last church in the district, carry on a prayerful communion and continue to conduct divine services, first going to a private house, and then to a temporary church.