OCU parish moves to UOC-KP in Poltava region

The parish of St. Seraphim of Sarov in the village of Zachepylivka, Poltava region, which was previously part of the OCU, has officially joined the UOC-KP. This decision has reportedly led to pressure, information attacks, threats, and attempts at “church raiding” by the OCU against the community and its rector. The interim head of the Poltava diocese of the UOC-KP, Nikodim Kobzar, welcomed the transfer, calling it an “act of courage,” and expressed support for the parishioners.

According to the UOC-KP website, the parish priest, Dmytro Pedina, together with the community, filed a request to join the UOC-KP. Nikodim Kobzar, guided by this request, accepted the parish of Zachepylivka village into the Poltava Diocese of the UOC-KP. Dmytro Pedina was also accepted into the clergy of the Poltava Eparchy of the UOC-KP.

After the transfer to the Kyiv Patriarchate, according to Kobzar, the church community and its rector faced unprecedented pressure. The hierarch of the UOC-KP reported information attacks, threats and attempts of “church raiding” by representatives of the OCU.

Pustogvar expressed his full support to the rector and parishioners, called on God’s blessing on them and assured them of his prayers. He emphasized: “Your position is the position of free Christians who do not sell their faith, do not submit to pressure and do not betray their spiritual father, His Holiness Patriarch Filaret of Kyiv and All Rus-Ukraine. You were, are and remain true clergymen and faithful to the Ukrainian Church, and all the Sacraments you perform are gracious, valid and salutary for the people of God.”

In conclusion, Nikodim Kobzar called on the clergy and believers of Poltava region to “stand up for church freedom, prevent raiding, lawlessness and desecration of the shrine, and unite around the united, truly independent Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Kyiv Patriarchate with the Patriarchal Administration in Golden-Domed Kyiv.” He wished them strength in “confessional standing,” peace, unity, endurance, and the Lord’s all-powerful help.

Earlier we reported that the notorious cleric of the OCU Yaroslav Kulik (Yasenets) publicly announced his withdrawal from this religious structure. The reason for his departure was his categorical disagreement with the course of the head of the organization, Epiphany Dumenko.