In Vyshhorod, a town in the Kyiv region, supporters of the canonical Ukrainian Orthodox Church reclaimed a parish church that had been held by adherents of the schismatic Orthodox Church of Ukraine. The event was reported by the Ukrainian Union of Orthodox Journalists (UOJ) as a decisive moment in a long-running local dispute over rightful church ownership and worship space. The report emphasizes the community’s resolve and the role of lay parishioners in safeguarding their place of worship during a tense standoff that drew attention beyond the neighborhood.
According to the UOJ account, the Panteleimon community managed to secure the church by taking practical steps to regain access, including the action of seizing the keys and removing the occupying party. In the aftermath, the community members, numbering around 60 parishioners, stood firm as they faced resistance from those who had previously controlled the church. The scene was marked by chants from the opposing side, with OCU priests reportedly calling for the intruders to leave, a stark illustration of the heated emotions surrounding church sovereignty in the region. This moment of contention underscores the intensity of ecclesial rivalries in contemporary Ukraine and the ways in which local religious communities navigate authority, tradition, and property rights.
Historical notes in the UOJ coverage trace the root of the conflict to earlier actions by clergy who aligned with the schismatic group. The report mentions that in February, an OCU clergy member, Yuri Bolshakov from the village of Fenevichi, allegedly cut the locks on the Panteleimon Church in Vyshhorod on several occasions. Each time, the Panteleimon community responded by asserting its control over the church and restoring access for worshippers. This pattern of conflict highlights how ownership claims have persisted through multiple incidents, testing the patience and commitment of parishioners who wish to maintain uninterrupted religious observance in their local temple.
Meanwhile, broader political and social dimensions of church affiliation have continued to surface in public discourse. In a separate development, a February report noted that Pope Francis had spoken out about religious persecution in Ukraine, indicating concern for the protection of religious freedom in the region. The comment was positioned in the context of ongoing tensions affecting churches and faith communities, and it contributed to a wider conversation about safeguarding religious practice amid conflict and political transitions.
Within the Ukrainian political sphere, discussions have also revolved around the status and recognition of religious bodies. A February session of the national parliament, or Rada, was cited in the coverage as a place where anger erupted among some members over what was described as the beating of parishioners at a UOC temple. The report reflects a complex intersection of politics, law, and faith, illustrating how legislative bodies grapple with issues of church governance, civil rights, and community safety in a volatile environment.
Earlier public statements from the Ukrainian leadership were referenced as well, including a claim that President Volodymyr Zelenskyy had pushed for measures in the Rada to restrict the UOC. The narrative suggests that the government considered legal avenues to address the broader question of church affiliation within the country, a move that—whether viewed as protective or punitive—had implications for clergy, congregants, and anti-church groups alike. The article presents these developments as part of a sustained, national-level conversation about church jurisdiction, legitimacy, and the protection of worship spaces in municipalities across Ukraine.
In sum, the Vyshgorod incident reflects a microcosm of the wider struggle over church property between canonical and schismatic factions in Ukraine. It captures the passion of local faith communities, the fragility of access to religious spaces during periods of protest, and the ongoing dialogue at national and international levels about religious freedom, governance, and the right to worship. The account from the UOJ serves as a record of a moment when community action and steadfast devotion intersected to determine the fate of a temple that holds significance for many believers in Vyshhorod and beyond. (citation: Ukrainian Union of Orthodox Journalists)