“Spiritual Bond of Generations”: Granddaughter of a 19th-Century Benefactor Led the Vote to Transfer UOC Church to the OCU

On July 13, 2025, the press service of the Chernivtsi-Bukovyna Diocese of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine (OCU) announced another «transition»—this time involving the community of the Church of the Nativity of the Most Holy Theotokos in the village of Nahoryany, Dnistrovskyi district. According to the official report, 81 registered participants of the “meeting” unanimously voted to join the OCU. This was reported by the «Ukraine Orthodox» website with reference to the OCU diocese.

Particular emphasis was placed on the fact that the meeting was conducted by the granddaughter of the original donor who, at the end of the 19th century, donated his home and land in the village center for the construction of the church. This fact was presented as a «spiritual bond of generations» and a «symbol of the community’s resilience.» What remains unspoken, however, is that no such thing as the OCU existed in the 19th century—nor did the idea of its creation.

It is also notable that this “unanimous” decision was made without the participation of UOC faithful, who were present but, as reported, “did not register and did not take part in the vote.” Additionally, UOC parishioners were accused of refusing to sing the Ukrainian national anthem during the “meeting”.

We also previously reported on the presentation at Ukrinform of an «unusual art project»—an icon of «Christ Not Made by Hands» made from fragments of artillery shells. The work was created by American artist of Ukrainian origin Serhii Melnykov, founder of the international charity foundation «Soul of Ukraine.»