Bila Tserkva believers address mayor over attempts to seize UOC cathedral

The Transfiguration Cathedral of the UOC in Bila Tserkva. Photo: vandrivka.com.ua

Parishioners of the Transfiguration Cathedral of the UOC in Bila Tserkva are seeking a meeting with the city mayor, Hennadiy Dykyi, regarding attempts by the city authorities to seize their shrine and transfer it to the OCU. They shared this information in a video appeal published by the press service of the Bila Tserkva Eparchy of the UOC.

The believers recalled that on June 23rd about a hundred parishioners of the cathedral came to the City Council to communicate with the mayor, but the meeting near the mayor's office was very brief, as Dykyi did not listen to them on account of his busy schedule.

According to the believers, the assistants of the city mayor promised to invite them for a conversation and suggested that representatives of the cathedral community submit written appeals to the mayor, secretary, and deputies of the city council, which they did.

"And now we are waiting. If we don't have a meeting with the mayor, we will take action," noted the participants in the video appeal. "We will not stop because illegal actions are taking place in our city. The architectural monument, the Transfiguration Cathedral, was somehow, in violation of the procedure, removed from state ownership and transferred to communal ownership. We want to understand why, on an illegal basis, they are preparing to vote on June 29th to transfer the cathedral, which we have been using for so many years, to some third party."

As reported, earlier the parishioners of the Transfiguration Cathedral called on Bila Tserkva authorities to refrain from considering the issue of transferring the shrine to the OCU during the city council session.

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.