OCU Cross Procession in Lutsk: Celebrations “for Their Own”

On Good Friday, April 18, a citywide Cross Procession organized by the OCU took place in the center of Lutsk. Participants walked through the streets with twelve symbolic stops reflecting the final hours of Christ’s earthly life. The event was reported by Volyn News.

The procession was led by clergy of the Volyn Diocese of the OCU and was held without interference or any public condemnation from the authorities or law enforcement.

This demonstrative support for the events of a single religious structure stands in sharp contrast to the ongoing pressure faced by the faithful and clergy of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC), who have repeatedly encountered bans on cross processions, night services, and even peaceful gatherings in their own churches.

It is worth recalling that publicist and deacon of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, Andriy Hlushchenko, pointed to clear violations of canonical law by OCU representatives. He noted that within the OCU a situation has arisen in which two or even three organizational figures may hold the title of “bishop” in the same city (especially in regional centers), which is strictly forbidden by the canonical rules of the Orthodox Church.