The hierarch of the OCU spoke about the number of parishes of the organization in the Kharkiv region

The head of the Kharkiv diocese of the OCU, Mitrofan Butynsky, spoke about the number of parishes of the organization in the region. Interestingly, there are not even 50 parishes of the OCU in the Kharkiv region, while the number of ministers of the organization is twice as high. Butynsky’s words are quoted by the publication “Livyi Bereg.”

“We have 35 parishes and 55 priests. And there is one monastery – newly built, very beautiful. Our parishioners are of different status. There are scientists and government officials, professors, students, elderly people, but above all, these people have pro-Ukrainian views. And our church of St. John the Theologian, where we have been for more than 30 years, which is our largest and located in the central part of the city, is now attended by many former parishioners of the Moscow Patriarchate,” – said the hierarch of the OCU.

In addition, Butynsky claims that there are supporters of the transition to the OCU among the clergy of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, but they are intimidated. At the same time, the OCU hierarch is convinced that the more often the TRC employees take an interest in them, the faster they will join the schism.

“Transitions are very difficult. Very difficult. We only had five, and all the parishes joined with their priests. The last transition was quite scandalous. We went into the church, then they did. They prepare well, organize ”prayer vigils.” They immediately began to slander the priest. That’s their style. I have already said that they have many priests – Galicians, many pro-Ukrainian, but they are intimidated. Many priests from the MP say that “it is not yet time.” They turn to me only when the TRC takes an interest in them (the state did not provide for the reservation of the clergy of the UOC-MP – ed.). Recently, a priest called me and said, “I want to serve in the Ukrainian Church.” I already know their “tricks,” so I said, “And which brigade are you in?” He replied that he was in such and such a brigade. Unfortunately, it is in situations like this that they remember the Ukrainian Church,” – he added.

Earlier, we reported that the Zaporizhzhia City Council reported to deputies and city media on the measures being taken by the city council to combat the Ukrainian Orthodox Church. To this end, the city council held an event entitled “Meeting on measures to stop the activities of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC) associated with the Moscow Patriarchate in the city.”