Media-backed Lviv Regional State Administration targets UOC communities

Orthodox Cross. Photo: Focus

The Lviv Regional State Administration, with the support of radical activists and local media, is increasing pressure on the remaining religious communities of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church in the region. As part of this campaign, the media outlet Suspilne.Lviv published personal details and addresses of residents in Lviv Oblast suspected of organizing secret worship services in private homes.

According to Suspilne, there are three officially registered UOC communities in the Lviv region, located in Lviv, Radekhiv, and Sosnivka. Journalists visited each of these towns to investigate whether UOC believers were conducting secret services despite restrictions and public pressure.

The publication quotes a local resident of Radekhiv, Anatoliy Harasevych, whose home is located near a UOC church. He stated that services in the church have not been held for six months: “Everything is closed now as well. Symbolically, the church where prayers for Putin were held is located on Peace Street.”

Journalists also visited Lviv and Sosnivka to speak with owners of residential and commercial properties suspected of providing spaces for UOC gatherings. “No one opened the door for the reporters. Neighbors claim that services are not held there,” the publication reported.

As previously reported by the UOJ, concerns have arisen in Lviv that after being expelled from their churches, UOC believers continue gathering for services in apartments and courtyards throughout Lviv Oblast. The media outlets have encouraged readers to report UOC faithful's locations and prayer hubs.

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