UOC Parishioners Prevented Attempted Church Takeover in Bukovina

In the Chernivtsi region, believers of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church defended the Church of the Holy Archangels Michael and Gabriel in the village of Maidan (Storozhynets) from an attempted takeover. According to eyewitnesses, around 15 people arrived at the site, allegedly acting on behalf of the OCU. The Orthodox community “orthobuk” reported the incident.

However, more than 200 parishioners quickly gathered near the church to prevent the seizure. The confrontation was avoided, and the group left the church grounds. Believers fear that this was only the first attempt and are expecting similar actions in the future.

On February 9, 2024, over 2,000 parishioners from local UOC churches — St. George and Archangel Michael — voiced a strong protest against attempts to take away their places of worship.

It should be noted that a wave of UOC church seizures continues across the Chernivtsi region. According to the Department of Culture of the Chernivtsi Regional State Administration, in the first three months of 2025 alone, UOC churches were seized in 22 localities — more than in entire previous years.