UOC community in Bukovyna: We are with the UOC, we are not transitioning

The community of St. Nicholas Church (UOC) in Verkhni Stanivtsi. Photo: Screenshot from Inna Pinyuk’s Facebook Page

The rector and parishioners of St. Nicholas Church in the village of Verkhni Stanivtsi, Bukovyna, made a statement declaring their loyalty to the UOC amid OCU claims of their transition. A parishioner posted a video statement from the community, led by Rector Archpriest Arkadii Hryvul, on her Facebook page.

The statement asserts that the OCU’s meeting regarding the transition was fraudulent and that members of the religious community did not participate.

"They brought in people unknown to us, though a few locals were present. They held a vote, but the majority remained loyal to the Ukrainian Orthodox Church," the priest said.

"We want to affirm our clear stance. We are faithful to the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, we are not transitioning anywhere, we remain under the omophorion of His Beatitude Onuphry, Metropolitan of Kyiv and All Ukraine," the rector stated, emphasizing that parish members had gathered signatures across the village confirming their loyalty to the UOC.

"Our final tally from the lists is 401 votes for the UOC, with full names, birthdates, addresses, and signatures. We will defend God's truth, our Church, our customs, and our traditions by all legal means. We will appeal to law enforcement authorities and any necessary institutions to protect our church. May the Lord bless everyone," the rector declared.

Earlier, the UOJ reported that the OCU had brought in outsiders for a fake meeting on the parish transition in Verkhni Stanivtsi.

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