Network warns of preparations to seize UOC Cathedral in Chernivtsi

Telegram channels that publish materials on church topics report on the preparation of the seizure of the Holy Spirit Cathedral of the Chernivtsi Diocese of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church. According to the channels, the event may take place in the evening/night of February 19-20, 2025. This was reported by the Telegram channels Pravblog and LAVRA live.

“We are talking about the Holy Spirit Cathedral, St. Nicholas Cathedral and St. Peter and Paul Church of the UOC. The scenario is simple – a forceful seizure, with grinders, cutting locks, etc. The attack should be carried out in the near future (perhaps even tonight). At the same time, according to our sources, one of the main motives for the upcoming attack on the UOC in Chernivtsi is to “punish” the believers of Bukovyna for appealing to the US Vice President to protect their religious rights and freedoms,” – Pravblog reported.

Later, this information was confirmed on the LAVRA live Telegram channel. They also reported that the seizure of the Cathedral would be an act of intimidation in response to the fact that the Chernivtsi Diocese of the UOC appealed for help to the new US government.

“We have received information from our sources in the Ivano-Frankivsk Regional Military Administration that an attempt to seize the Holy Spirit Cathedral of the UOC in Chernivtsi will take place tonight or tonight. A harsh scenario of seizure is possible, as the raiders aim to demonstrate the exemplary punishment of the faithful of the Chernivtsi diocese who dared to appeal to the US leadership for the protection of their religious rights and freedoms. Our source claims that the seizure of the cathedral will be carried out by force and may well repeat the scenario of Cherkasy,” – the channel wrote.

As we reported earlier, on February 16, 2025, the religious community of the Holy Spirit Cathedral of the Chernivtsi Diocese of the UOC of Chernivtsi held a parish meeting, at which a majority of votes decided to join the Ukrainian Orthodox Church. The event took place against the backdrop of an alternative meeting of the territorial community that took place on the same day in Chernivtsi, as a result of which the church was allegedly transferred to the OCU.