A priest has been barred from ministering in the Vinnytsia Diocese of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church

The Vinnytsia Diocese of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church has officially announced that clergyman Mykola Hryshchenko has been suspended from the priesthood. The decision was made by the diocese’s leadership in connection with gross violations of church discipline and canonical norms.

According to , the press service of the Vinnytsia Diocese of the UOC reports that the basis for imposing these severe sanctions was the priest’s unauthorized performance of rituals without proper blessing. In addition, the diocese’s official statement emphasizes that the clergyman’s actions were accompanied by elements of fortune-telling and spiritualist practices, as well as non-canonical actions during the celebration of the Sacrament of Baptism involving individuals who are not Orthodox believers.

Special attention was given to the situation surrounding the so-called “Church of Saints Peter and Paul” on Barvysta Street in Vinnytsia. The diocesan administration emphasizes that this premises was set up by the priest without authorization, operates without the knowledge of the ruling bishop, and is not part of the canonical structure of the Vinnytsia Diocese.

At this time, Archpriest Nikolai Grishchenko is completely prohibited from performing any divine services or administering church sacraments. Representatives of the diocese urge Orthodox believers to refrain from visiting this location and participating in the services held there until the clergyman’s canonical status has been officially resolved.