Witcher takes control of UOC Trinity Church in Pereyaslav
"Hieromonk" OCU Sofroniy with the call sign Witcher. Photo: spzh.news
On June 8, 2023, the "hieromonk" of the OCU Sofroniy, with the call sign Ved’mak (Witcher), took control of the Trinity Church of the UOC in Pereyaslav, Kyiv region. The UOJ was told about this by its source in the community.
It noted that the OCU activists, under the control of the Witcher, cut off the last locks on the Trinity Church and let members of the “commission” of the City Council inside.
They invited the rector of the parish, Archimandrite Nil, to the temple to take away the things unnecessary for the OCU from the shrine: “The commission went into the temple together with members of the OCU, invited us to take away the liturgical books in Church Slavonic and the literature that was displayed in the shop.”
“Ved’mak personally oversaw the cutting of the locks, attacks on the church. Every day he stood from morning to evening and controlled his activists near the church, gave instructions to everyone. In the city, Ved’mak has already been provided with a hostel and a car,” he added.
According to the source, the OCU, led by Witcher, has already held the first “prayer service” in the temple, which was attended by about 30 people: “Yesterday they held a prayer service in the temple. We had about 60 people at the service, which we held in a house on the church grounds. We announced the service at 8:00 am, while the OCU at 11:00 am, so as not to overlap.”
As the UOJ reported, Witcher did not let parishioners into the church for their patronal feast in Pereyaslav.
Read also
In Ukraine, Trump’s 'spiritual advisor' reassured of religious freedom
Pastor Mark Burns stated that Ukraine, despite the war, is a "beacon of religious freedom."
Lavra brethren congratulate Metropolitan Pavel on 31 years as abbot
The monks of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra have expressed hope that they will soon be able to pray again with their abbot.
Amsterdam: Intrusion into Lavra Caves – a return to Soviet-era persecution
International lawyer Robert Amsterdam has condemned the actions of Ukraine’s Ministry of Culture regarding the inspection of holy relics in the Caves of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra, calling it a violation of religious freedom.
Over 20 EU states condemn Hungary for ban on LGBT propaganda among children
“This restricts the right to peaceful assembly and freedom of expression,” diplomats state in a joint declaration.
His Beatitude officiates consecration of Bishop of Rakhiv
At the Church of St. Agapitus in the Lavra, the Primate of the UOC ordained a vicar for the Khust Eparchy.
Met Victor: It is painful to see Lavra's relics turned into test subjects
According to the bishop, there is particular concern over how members of the scientific commission will handle the holy relics.