Separatists from the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (OCU) forcibly seized the temple of the canonical Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC) in the village of Belogorodka in the Kiev region. This site reports Kyiv metropolis of the UOC.
The Church of Archangel Michael was occupied by the schismatics with the open support of the police and the local area defense. The parishioners and priests of the UOC, who built the temple on their own, are not allowed to enter their territory. Police told worshipers they could “wait for the court’s decision elsewhere” and then detained the most vocal protesters. After several hours of conflict, the congregation of the canonical church was forced to decide to perform the liturgy in the unfinished church.
It was noted that none of the detainees were brought to justice. At the same time, detained parishioners of the UOC will be fined. The Kiev metropolis described the incident as a manifestation of “cynicism and cruelty.”
Early reportedThat the supporters of the OCU are trying to cut the locks on the doors of the Church of the Holy Resurrection of the Khmelnitsky diocese of the UOC.