In Zolochiv, persecuted UOC community celebrates patronal day

UOC community in Zolochiv. Photo: UOJ

On May 18, 2021, in Zolochiv, Lviv Region, the community celebrated a patronal day of the Inexhaustible Chalice icon. Pilgrims from Lviv, Brody and other cities of Ukraine joined the believers of the community at the services of the All-Night Vigil and the Liturgy. The choir of the Holy Spirit Skete of the Pochaiv Lavra and the bishops’ quartet of the Lviv diocese sang during the festive services.

After the Liturgy, a cross procession around the church and a festive meal took place.

According to the rector, priest Maksim Yoenko, despite the pressure, the church community in Zolochiv is living a full parish life. In addition to Sunday services, polyeleos services are also performed in the middle of the week. 30-40 parishioners regularly gather at the All-night Vigil and the Liturgy.

In general, after the trials, the attitude of the authorities and radicals towards the community has become more tolerant. If even before Christmas the rector's house was attacked twice a week on average, now the situation has become much calmer. During the Christmas holidays, the community set up a nativity scene in the courtyard, and the residents of Zolochiv passing by often stopped and crossed themselves.

In July 2020, the authorities of Zolochiv accused the priest's family of "illegal construction" and urged them to leave the city. The mayor of the city Igor Grynkiv held a “veche” near the house where he threatened to demolish the fence with sledgehammers. Later, radicals repeatedly threw paint at the trailer where the community's services were held and smashed the fence with hammers.

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