Khmelnytsky authorities disrupt visit of Primate of Ukrainian Orthodox Church

On May 21, 2025, the city authorities of Khmelnytsky disrupted the visit of the Primate of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, His Beatitude Metropolitan Onuphry of Kyiv and All Ukraine, which was timed to coincide with the 35th anniversary of the revival of the Khmelnytsky Diocese of the UOC. According to the announcement, on May 21-22, the Primate of the UOC was to be in Khmelnytsky, where he was to consecrate the local St. Nicholas Cathedral. However, on the initiative of local authorities, special equipment and crowd consisting of radicals and supporters of the OCU were driven to the church. The protesters blocked access to the church, which resulted in the cancellation of Metropolitan Onufriy’s visit.

According to eyewitnesses at the scene, around 15:00, local authorities sent dozens of municipal vehicles, such as garbage trucks and sewage trucks, to St. Nicholas Cathedral of the UOC in Khmelnytsky, where the Primate of the UOC was expected to visit. In addition, local deputies and radicalized elements, including the notorious head of the right-wing radical group C14, Yevhen Karas, arrived to disrupt the celebrations on the occasion of the 35th anniversary of the revival of the Khmelnytsky Diocese of the UOC.

Activists in the number of about 100 people staged a real rally near St. Nicholas Cathedral, during which they blocked access to the church. One of the protesters poured pig’s blood on the gates of the church. The protesters shouted insults at the clergy and believers of the UOC, urging them to join the OCU.

In connection with the incident, the press service of the Khmelnytsky Eparchy stated that the visit of the Primate of the UOC to Khmelnytsky was canceled.

“For the sake of peace and mutual understanding, in order to avoid clashes and confrontation between the residents of the city of Khmelnytsky, the consecration of St. Nicholas Cathedral in Khmelnytsky, scheduled for May 22, 2025, with the participation of the Primate and the bishops of the UOC, will not take place. We call on everyone to mutual respect and understanding,” the diocese noted.

Earlier, we reported that the deputy of the Khmelnytsky District Council, Oleksandr Chernievych, publicly called on his supporters to gather near St. Nicholas Cathedral of the UOC in order to disrupt the visit of His Beatitude Metropolitan Onufriy of Kyiv and All Ukraine.