Voice of Orthodox Ukraine

Parishioners of St. Nicholas Church and the Church of Seraphim of Sarov declared a violation of their religious rights and asked the international community to pay attention to the situation. The UOC communities of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker and St. Seraphim of Sarov in the village of Yakushyntsi, Vinnytsia district, addressed the Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights Dmytro Lubinets, representatives of local self-government, and the international Christian community in connection with the situation surrounding their churches. The appeal was published on the official Telegram channel of the Vinnytsia Eparchy of the UOC. The believers reported actions by OCU representatives and certain political figures that violate the right to freedom of religion guaranteed by the Constitution of Ukraine and infringe upon the rights of parishioners of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church. In this regard, the community called on responsible persons to intervene in the situation and ensure compliance with the law. In the published video, parishioners declare their support for their religious community and churches. According to the believers, they are the ones who have been permanent members of the parish for many years, participated in its construction, donated funds, and took an active part in the liturgical and parish life. The community also addressed the World Council of Churches, in particular its moderator Heinrich Bedford-Strohm and general secretary Jerry Pillay, urging them to pay attention to what is happening. The believers ask state authorities and the international Christian community to guarantee them the ability to freely profess their faith and preserve their religious community. The source — UOJ, Ukraine #truth_about_Ukraine #persecution_UOC 📣 Subscribe to Voice of Orthodox Ukraine. 📣 Join us on X (Twitter) - https://x.com/call_oforthodox

🇺🇸UOC believers in Yakushyntsi call to protect their churches from seizure 🇺🇦Віруючі УПЦ з Якушинців закликали захистити її храми від захоплення

The Volodymyr-Volyn Diocese called on the faithful to intensify prayers for the mobilized priest. Military commissars forcibly mobilized a cleric of the Volodymyr-Volyn Diocese of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church. TCC officers on August 17, 2026 detained the rector of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross Church, Archimandrite Anthony (Dzhezhelya), in the village of Khvorostiv. This was reported by the Volodymyr-Volyn Diocese. The faithful and clergy of the diocese know Father Anthony as a zealous pastor. The priest enjoys great love and sincere respect from his parishioners and fellow ministers. In connection with what has occurred, the diocesan clergy and the church community ask all Orthodox Christians to intensify their prayers for Father Anthony and for his swift return to his flock and liturgical ministry. The source — UOJ, Ukraine #persecution_UOC 📣 Subscribe to Voice of Orthodox Ukraine. 📣 Join us on X (Twitter) - https://x.com/call_oforthodox

🇺🇸TRC detained the rector of a UOC community in the village of Khvorostiv 🇺🇦ТЦК затримав настоятеля громади УПЦ у селі Хворостів

The head of the OCU called the UOC "followers of Russian Pharisaism." The head of the OCU, Serhiy Dumenko, published on Facebook spiritual-canonical reflections in which he declared his organization's right to judge the Ukrainian Orthodox Church. "Instead of strict demands toward the followers of Russian Pharisaism in Ukraine, we show humility, calling them to brotherly dialogue, to understanding and unity, rather than passing judgment on them in accordance with the canons," Dumenko said, drawing a parallel between the UOC and the actions of the ROC in Africa toward the Patriarchate of Alexandria. He emphasized that the OCU treats the UOC "gently," but this should not be perceived by anyone as proof that his structure has no right to judge the UOC, or that it "harbors any doubt in this regard." Dumenko also criticized the Local Churches that have not recognized his structure, comparing the OCU to the Apostle Paul. "Let somewhere far away, for some, we are not a Local Church just as Paul, for some, was not an apostle as he says, for Ukraine we are the Local Church," Dumenko stated. Developing this original thought, he emphasized that “zealous followers of the Russian Patriarchate act in the same way as the opponents of the Apostle Paul did.” "They accuse us, the Orthodox Church of Ukraine, of not being from them and not having received recognition according to the rules invented by them," the head of the OCU stated. Dumenko did not clarify what he meant by the expression "rules invented by them." According to him, just as the authenticity of Paul's apostleship did not depend on the opinion of his opponents, so too the recognition of the OCU's legitimacy did not depend on Moscow. "Just as Paul was called to become an apostle by the Head of the Church Himself, so too we received the Tomos and the proclamation of our dignity as an autocephalous Local Church from the first among the Primates of the Orthodox Church – from the Ecumenical Patriarch, who alone is vested by the conciliar canons with such a right," Dumenko stated. The source — UOJ, Ukraine #persecution_UOC 📣 Subscribe to Voice of Orthodox Ukraine. 📣 Join us on X (Twitter) - https://x.com/call_oforthodox

🇺🇸Dumenko: We have the right to judge UOC, but we are very humble 🇺🇦Думенко: У нас є право суду над УПЦ, але ми дуже смиренні

Ukrainian officials shared their dreams about the future of the Kyiv Pechersk Lavra as a place of "spiritual power." Ukrainian statesmen presented their vision for the future of the Kyiv Pechersk Lavra ahead of its millennial anniversary in 2051. On the occasion of the monastery's 975th anniversary, the National Reserve prepared a video in which representatives of the authorities expressed their wishes for the development of the monastery over the next 25 years. Head of the Office of the President Kyrylo Budanov, in his address, emphasized the historical continuity of generations. "Connection, continuity, the history of generations — this is the same as it was thousands of years ago. We can now feel it, touch all of this," the head of the office stated. In addition, Budanov noted the need for restoration work at the monastery: "The Lavra must be... put in order, with everything that has been in decline for many, many years restored." Budanov did not specify the reasons for the decline at the Lavra. Minister of Foreign Affairs Andrii Sybiha called the monastery a thousand-year-old hearth of spirituality, history, culture, literacy, traditions, and state-building. "I would very much like to see the Lavra in the fullness of its strength, its spiritual strength, as it should be, as it has been for centuries, so that this mission, the mission of its spirituality, would continue," the Foreign Minister said. Minister of Youth and Sports Andrii Bednyi characterized the monastery as an important diplomatic site. "The Lavra is a place of power. It is a thousand-year-old center of the development of Ukrainian culture, art, diplomacy, science, and political thought. Therefore, every Kyivan and every Ukrainian feels their roots here," the minister said, adding that he would like to see it "full of happy, smiling people." Among the officials, the head of the OCU Epifaniy Dumenko also spoke, stating that by the anniversary he wishes to see the Lavra renewed, "completely free from the interference of the Russian world," and filled with prayer for an independent Ukraine. Deputy Minister of Economy Tetiana Berezhna congratulated the Lavra on its 975th anniversary, noting that this date confirms the monastery's status as a center of Ukrainian state, spiritual, and educational life. "I hope and believe that in 25 years, at its millennium, the Lavra will attract a great many Ukrainians, as well as pilgrims and tourists from all over the civilized world," she concluded. The source — UOJ, Ukraine #truth_about_Ukraine 📣 Subscribe to Voice of Orthodox Ukraine. 📣 Join us on X (Twitter) - https://x.com/call_oforthodox

🇺🇸"Center of Political Thought": Officials Shared Their Vision of the Lavra in 2051 🇺🇦«Центр політичної думки»: чиновники розповіли, якою бачать Лавру в 2051

TRC officers released Metropolitan Serhiy of Tulchyn from the Darnytsia District Territorial Center of Recruitment in Kyiv, reports UOC lawyer Archpriest Nikita Chekman on his Telegram channel. The bishop had been held at the military commissariat since eight o'clock in the morning; however, no protocol or other document justifying his detention was drawn up. TRC representatives also confiscated the metropolitan's Ukrainian citizen passport without issuing any protocol, act, or receipt. The hierarch was not provided with a single document confirming the fact, legal basis, or circumstances of the seizure of his identity document. As a reminder, in 2022 Zelensky stripped Metropolitan Serhiy of Ukrainian citizenship. Now he has also lost his passport. At the same time, a cleric of the Tulchyn Eparchy, Archpriest Anatoliy Vyshnevyi, who was detained together with the hierarch, is being subjected to mobilization attempts. According to available information, the priest was not on a wanted list and had not violated military registration rules, and there were no legal grounds for his detention as provided by law. The eparchy stated that it will use all legally available means to appeal the detention of the hierarch, the seizure of the passport, and the attempt to mobilize the clergyman, and asked the faithful to pray for Father Anatoliy. The source — UOJ, Ukraine #truth_about_Ukraine #persecution_UOC 📣 Subscribe to Voice of Orthodox Ukraine. 📣 Join us on X (Twitter) - https://x.com/call_oforthodox

🇺🇸Metropolitan Serhiy released from TRC in Kyiv 🇺🇦Митрополита Сергія відпустили з ТЦК у Києві

The organizer of the collection thanked the faithful for their help to the frontline monastery. Volunteers of the Chernivtsi-Bukovyna Eparchy delivered a large humanitarian cargo to the Holy Dormition Sviatohirsk Lavra. Metropolitan Meletiy of Chernivtsi and Bukovyna blessed the charitable collection, reports the website of the Sviatohirsk Lavra. On August 14, 2026, on the Feast of the Procession of the Precious Wood of the Life-Giving Cross of the Lord, volunteers brought aid to the monastery. The benefactors delivered food, medicines, and building materials in two cargo minibuses. The humanitarian aid included 600 kilograms of flour, more than half a ton of fresh fruit (peaches, apricots, apples, pears), 300 liters of vegetable oil, butter, canned goods, tea, hygiene products, household chemicals, and medicines. The volunteers also brought more than 100 festive poppy-seed breads, church candles, and fresh flowers to decorate the Dormition Cathedral for the Feast of the Lord's Transfiguration. To carry out repair work, volunteers from Bukovina brought construction materials to help repair damage caused by shelling. The monastery received tarpaulins to cover roofs, paint, nails, screws, as well as sheets of chipboard and foam rubber to repair beds in the residential building where refugees who have found shelter at the Lavra are currently staying. In addition, the benefactors provided new seasonal footwear for the Lavra’s monastics and for the sisters of the Skete of the Icon of the Mother of God “Joy of All Who Sorrow” in the village of Bohorodychne, who are currently living at the monastery. "We are grateful to everyone who, in these difficult times, shows active love and care for the Sviatohirsk Lavra and its residents,” said Oksana (Maria) Tsiuha, the organizer of the aid drive. “There are currently no shops or pharmacies in Sviatohirsk, and transport links with other cities are steadily deteriorating, so the monastery is in constant need of our help." She noted that the volunteers gathered the cargo thanks to monetary donations from caring people across Ukraine. The organizer also expressed special gratitude to local farmers and entrepreneurs who regularly donate part of their produce for the needs of the monastery. The source — UOJ, Ukraine #truth_about_Ukraine 📣 Subscribe to Voice of Orthodox Ukraine. 📣 Join us on X (Twitter) - https://x.com/call_oforthodox

🇺🇸Chernivtsi Eparchy reps deliver humanitarian aid to Sviatohirsk Lavra 🇺🇦До Святогірської лаври доставили гуманітарну допомогу з Чернівецької єпархії

The enthronement of the Primate of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church took place on August 17, 2014. On August 17, the Ukrainian Orthodox Church celebrates the 12th anniversary of the enthronement of Metropolitan Onuphry as Metropolitan of Kyiv, reports the UOC Information Center. "More than forty years ago, I made monastic vows before the Heavenly King, one of which is the renunciation of my own will before the all-holy will of God," His Beatitude Metropolitan Onufriy said in his address following his enthronement. "Therefore, I regard my election as Metropolitan of Kyiv and All Ukraine not as a distinction or an honor, but as a solemn obedience to Mother Church, for which I will have to give an account at the dread judgment of God." From the early years of Ukraine's independence, the current Primate headed the Chernivtsi-Bukovyna Eparchy of the UOC. In February 2014, during the grave illness of UOC Primate His Beatitude Metropolitan Volodymyr, the Holy Synod of the UOC elected Metropolitan Onuphry as Locum Tenens of the Kyiv See. On August 13, 2014, the hierarch became the 122nd Metropolitan of Kyiv, and the solemn enthronement took place on August 17, 2014. Today, the faithful and the clergy congratulate their Primate and wish His Beatitude the Lord's blessing and strength in his further archpastoral labors for the glory of Ukrainian Orthodoxy. The source — UOJ, Ukraine #truth_about_Ukraine 📣 Subscribe to Voice of Orthodox Ukraine. 📣 Join us on X (Twitter) - https://x.com/call_oforthodox

🇺🇸UOC marks 12th anniversary of Metropolitan Onuphry's enthronement 🇺🇦В УПЦ відзначають 12 років з інтронізації Митрополита Онуфрія

Zelensky downplays the Christian and Orthodox identity of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra in favor of presenting it as a symbol of Ukrainian nation. He made no reference to Christianity, Orthodoxy, or the saints associated with the Lavra. It is the way Zelenskyy now presents the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra, which has been seized by the regime of “spiritual independence.” ⭕️ Yesterday, there was an event organised by authorities and the state-backed OCU in the square in front of the Dormition Cathedral marking the 975th anniversary of the ancient monastery. The Kvartal 95 studio, as we can see, continues to exploit the holy site for its own publicity—and to promote a national cult. ⭕️ Zelenskyy used words derived from the root “nation” while referring to the Lavra. And not not a single time—did the head of the “spiritual independence” regime mention the Christian essence of the monastery. It is understandable. The icons on the façade of the Dormition Cathedral, covered with cloths, speak volumes. ⭕️ There is no need to repeat Zelenskyy’s speech. Let us focus only on a few revealing points. 1️⃣ Zelensky immediately calls the Lavra a “shrine of the nation” and a “place of strength.” How did an Orthodox monastery, founded by Saints Anthony and Theodosius for prayer to God, become a shrine of the nation? The regime of “spiritual independence” wants to transform a holy site into a pagan temple to the new idol of the nation. 2️⃣ Alongside the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra, he mentioned historic churches in Chernihiv, St. George’s Cathedral, the Horiany Rotunda, Taras Hill, and the estate associated with philosopher Hryhorii Skovoroda. (whose name he could barely pronounce), which belong to the Uniates… and then Taras Hill and Skovoroda’s estate. There is a question whether such a diverse collection of religious, cultural, and historical sites can meaningfully be grouped under a single concept of “national shrines,” and what criteria would ultimately determine which sites receive that designation. ⭕️ According to Zelenskyy, when praying at the Lavra, a person is supposed to feel certain “values.” Of course, instead of God. ⭕️ He polished it all off with talk about creating a law to protect “national shrines,” equating these “shrines” with “museum heritage.” According to his own words, this law will determine what qualifies as a “national shrine.” Obviously, those churches that are unlucky enough not to make it onto the list drawn up by these latter-day Bolsheviks will be subjected to attempts at expropriation and transfer to the state. So that the state can then parasitize on their fame. The source - First Cossack #truth_about_Ukraine 📣 Subscribe to Voice of Orthodox Ukraine. 📣 Join us on X (Twitter) - https://x.com/call_oforthodox

🇺🇸ZELENSKYY ERASES CHRISTIANITY FROM THE LAVRA IN ORDER TO TURN IT INTO A SYMBOL OF THE NATION 🇺🇦ЗЕЛЕНСЬКИЙ ВИКРЕСЛЮЄ З ЛАВРИ ХРИСТИЯНСТВО, ЩОБ ПЕРЕТВОРИТИ НА СВЯТИЛИЩЕ НАЦІЇ

Having one’s name entered in the book is intended to become the highest form of recognition for a personal or institutional contribution to the Lavra’s development. OCU head Epifaniy Dumenko and President Volodymyr Zelensky made the first entries in the newly created Book of Guardians and Patrons of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra. 1051–2051. The leadership of the national reserve timedthe launch of the memorial project and the opening of a thematic exhibition to coincide with the monastery’s 975th anniversary. In addition to Zelensky and Dumenko, the book was signed by UNESCO Director-General Khaled El-Enany, UN Tourism Secretary-General Shaikha Al Nowais, and Swiss Federal Council delegate Jacques Gerber. According to the museum staff’s concept, the memorial project, spanning the years 1051 to 2051, is intended to preserve the names of people who help safeguard the shrine through their work and philanthropy. The Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra Reserve administration plans to include scholars, restorers, engineers, military personnel, and volunteers on the honorary list. Inclusion in the book will serve as recognition of a personal or institutional contribution to the Lavra’s development. At the same time, the reserve will create a digital archive containing biographies, documents, and photographs of project participants. The source — UOJ, Ukraine #truth_about_Ukraine 📣 Subscribe to Voice of Orthodox Ukraine. 📣 Join us on X (Twitter) - https://x.com/call_oforthodox

🇺🇸Dumenko and Zelensky sign Book of Lavra Guardians 🇺🇦Думенко і Зеленський розписалися в книзі «хранителів Лаври»