UOC communities in Podillya and Bukovyna celebrated the Ascension of the Lord despite the lack of access to their churches

on May 21, 2026, on the Feast of the Ascension of the Lord, the Orthodox communities in the Mohyliv-Podilskyi and Chernivtsi-Bukovyna dioceses of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, deprived of the opportunity to perform divine services in their churches, held solemn liturgies in adapted premises. Despite external difficulties, the faithful demonstrated steadfastness of spirit and loyalty to the canonical Church.

According to the Information and Education Department of the UOC, Metropolitan Agapit of Mogilev-Podilsky and Shargorod headed the Divine Liturgy at the parish in the village of Vednichany. Due to the impossibility to pray in the native church, the service was organized in a specially adapted room. Archpriest Anatoliy Kirichuk, the rector of the community, and the clergy of the diocese served the Archbishop. At the end of the liturgy, the archpastor addressed the parishioners with words of support, noting their faith and devotion to God in a difficult time for the community.

On the same day, the Ascension community of the village of Ryngach in Chernivtsi region celebrated the Throne Feast. According to the page «Faithful of the Chernivtsi-Bukovyna Eparchy of the UOC», the parishioners of this village are also deprived of access to their shrine. Nevertheless, the rector, Priest Maksym Kostyuk, accompanied by the clergy of the diocese, celebrated the festive liturgy, sharing the joy of the feast with the many faithful.

Representatives of the diocese emphasize that despite the modest conditions of the services, the congregations maintain unity and inner joy. «This day was not only a celebration, but also a testimony to the resilience of the community, which, despite everything, continues to live the life of the Church and look forward to the future with hope,» the press service said in a statement.