Zoria will serve a "solemn liturgy" in the seized church of UOC in Pryputni

The seized church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Pryputni village. Photo: facebook page Andriy Kovalov

On April 17, the "archbishop" of the OCU Ivan (Eustratiy) Zoria will come to the church of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church in the village of Pryputni, Chernihiv region, seized with the help of nationalists from "Svoboda" nationalist organization, to officiate "a solemn service" there. One of the invaders of the temple, Stanislav Proshchenko, announced this on his Facebook page.

According to the author of the announcement, the "archpastoral visit" of Zoria will take place "at the invitation of the religious community of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine in Pryputni village."

“The solemn service will begin at 10 am on April 17, 2021. After the rite of the Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom, a prayer service will be held with adoration of the miraculous icon of Dubenskaya-Chernigovskaya, which will arrive on this day together with His Eminence Vladyka. We invite everyone to attend the service!" the message says.

As the UOJ reported, on April 4, 2021, the "Svoboda" nationalists seized the UOC church in Pryputni. About 20 people came to the village to organize the raid. Some of them were identified by the believers – they were involved in similar forceful seizures of the UOC churches in other settlements of the region, in particular, in the villages of Kruty, Parafiyivka, etc.

According to the rector, believers of the UOC from two villages – about 500 people – prayed in the church in Pryputni, which was seized by the OCU activists The Nizhyn diocese announced they would defend the law and truth in court.

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