UOC church sealed after a local meeting in Siyantsi village, Rivne region

The St. George religious community of the UOC in the village of Siyantsi. Photo: Rivne Diocese

On November 10, 2024, a meeting of the local community took place in the village of Siyantsi, Ostroh deanery, Rivne region, where the issue of changing the affiliation of the UOC parish was discussed. According to the press service of the Rivne diocese, part of the St. George religious community chose to remain with the Ukrainian Orthodox Church along with the parish priest.

"The religious community, which had been under the guidance of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church and its priest, Archpriest Father Vasyl Honcharuk, for many years, was divided in their views on the future of their parish. At the meeting, 117 people voted in favor of transferring to the OCU, while 32 parishioners decided to remain loyal to the Ukrainian Orthodox Church," the diocese reports.

The parish priest of St. George’s Church, who has served and cared for the church alongside UOC parishioners for many years, remained with the faithful.

It was noted that immediately after the meeting, OCU supporters came to the church and sealed it, which came as a surprise to the UOC community.

As reported by the UOJ, an announcement had been posted on the village’s Facebook page the day before, calling a meeting to "transfer" the UOC parish to the OCU.

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