Secretary of Rivne Eparchy: All UOC communities in Rivne region preserved
The secretary of the Rivne Eparchy of the UOC, Archpriest Viktor Zemlianyi. Photo: Fr. Viktor's Facebook page
The UOC eparchies in the Rivne region (Rivne and Sarny eparchies) have preserved the communities of all the temples seized by OCU supporters, and these communities have premises for divine services, said the secretary of the Rivne Eparchy of the UOC, Archpriest Viktor Zemlianyi, in an interview with the YouTube channel "Tetiana Tsaruk. In Search of Truth".
"Almost all the priests are in place,” noted Fr. Victor. “Somewhere for health reasons or because of a change of residence, rectors were changed, but all communities are active. This is a victory. Even there are churches taken away that we have returned. They are few – you can count them on the fingers of one hand - but this is the fact."
According to the priest, the raiders managed to seize relatively few churches in the Rivne region.
"Many churches, which according to documents were taken away, actually have been kept," added the eparchy’s secretary.
He expressed his belief that all the shrines taken away from the UOC would be returned.
"There will not be such a temple that would not return to the UOC. Whether it will be with us, whether we will see it with our own eyes, but we stand for it. Our Orthodox descendants will see it. It is impossible to defeat the Church," Father Viktor stressed.
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.