OCU holds first "service" in church seized from Romanian-speaking UOC parish

OCU clergy outside the crypt-church of the Metropolitans of Bukovyna in Chernivtsi. Photo: OCU, Chernivtsi

On October 30, the OCU held its first "service" at the Holy Trinity crypt-church of the Metropolitans of Bukovyna in Chernivtsi after seizing the sacred site from the Romanian-speaking parish of the UOC.

According to the website of the Chernivtsi Diocese of the OCU, the memorial service for deceased Metropolitans of Bukovyna, as well as for fallen Ukrainian soldiers, was led by the diocesan head, "bishop" Theognost.

The OCU describes the events surrounding the church, which drew international attention and condemnation from the Romanian Orthodox Church and the Romanian community, as an "important step in restoring historical justice and returning the shrine to the Ukrainian Church."

The press service asserts that "this step symbolizes the strengthening of national identity and the spiritual unity of believers," and promises to conduct services in Romanian. They believe this "will help preserve spiritual traditions and meet the needs of the Romanian-speaking residents of the city."

In a media statement, Yan Ostafiychuk, Deputy Head of the Legal Department of the Chernivtsi City Council, explained that the OCU is using the crypt-church under an agreement with the Historical and Cultural Reserve, approved by the executive committee on August 27. Under this agreement, the OCU must coordinate with the enterprise regarding the schedule of services, which will only be conducted on memorial days and major religious holidays.

As the UOJ reported, the National Council of Romanians in Ukraine has called for a response to the transfer of the UOC Romanian community's church to the OCU.

Earlier, the Romanian Patriarch condemned the seizure of the UOC church in Chernivtsi by OCU supporters.

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