In Chernivtsi, the first religious community of the UOC-MP has transitioned to the Orthodox Church of Ukraine (OCU).

On Saturday, January 4, the religious community of the Protection of the Holy Virgin Church in Chernivtsi (the "Sadgora" district) transitioned from the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate to the Orthodox Church of Ukraine. This was reported by PЦУ priest Roman Gryshchuk.

“The land of Bukovina is confidently freeing itself from the Moscow Patriarchate! The first community in the city of Chernivtsi has emerged from Russian occupation! The religious community of the Protection of the Holy Virgin Church, Sadgora district. 299 – in favor! The decision was made unanimously!” – the post states.

The priest explained that the decision for the church community to leave the jurisdiction of the UOC (Moscow Patriarchate) had been brewing for a long time.

“The community was quite strong and large. 'Father' Mikhail continued to mention the Moscow Patriarch as his lord even after the invasion of the Russians. He did not pray for Ukraine, nor did he want to bury the soldiers. Despite the fact that more than 25 soldiers from Sadgora had fallen, he did not come and did not want to bury any of them! The parishioners, led by the founders and builders of the church, decided to put an end to this situation and gathered for a meeting,” – Roman Gryshchuk said.

According to the priest, over 300 people attended the meeting regarding the transition of the religious community from the UOC MP to the OCU. Supporters of the Moscow Patriarchate did not vote on this decision.

It is noted that residents were not allowed to hold meetings in the cultural center, so the voting took place outdoors. Roman Gryshchuk points out that a similar situation occurred during voting in the villages of Vovchyntsi and Vasylyvka.

“In both places, we were prohibited from holding meetings in the cultural center... Ukraine is not giving in easily. But we understand that it is no easier for the soldiers in the trenches to drive the occupiers out of Ukraine. So, we move only forward!” – the priest added.

Interestingly, at the end of November, Lviv region became the first region in Ukraine without a single registered religious community of the Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate. Before the full-scale war, there were 54 such parishes in the region. As a result, 27 dissolved communities joined the Orthodox Church of Ukraine, while another 27 ceased their activities by their own decision.