Temple in Volhynia goes to OCU despite protests of the community and rector
Most of the residents of Dubishche village expressed their willing to join the OCU, while the priest and parishioners remained faithful to the UOC.
In the village of Dubyshche, Volyn Eparchy, the community of the Vladimir temple of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church transferred to the OCU contrary to the assurances of the rector. It is reported by volynnews.
The meeting of the church community was attended by the villagers and local authorities, who initiated the "transition".
Priest Mikhail Bodak, rector of the temple, noted he would remain faithful to God and was not going to the schismatics. According to the results of the vote, 59 parishioners remained together with him, while 284 people voted for the transfer of the temple community to the OCU.
“I will be faithful to the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, no matter how many are left with me – two, three – I will be a priest and spiritual mentor for them,” Father Mikhail said to the authorities’ proposal to transfer to the OCU following the example of the rural territorial community.
Earlier, the UOJ reported that the Ovruch authorities demanded that UOC priests either get to the OCU or vacate the churches.