Supporters of the schismatic "Orthodox Church of Ukraine" (OCU) have taken control of the St. Michael's Church of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church in the city of Myronivka in the Kyiv region. This information has been reported by spzh.news, citing the press service of the Bila Tserkva Eparchy of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church.

Around 4 a.m., individuals led by a priest from the OCU, Vladimir Petrik, forcibly removed the lock from the church gates using an angle grinder and then broke into the church, the dining room, and utility rooms.

Believers of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church who gathered at the church were not allowed onto the premises by police officers and members of the voluntary territorial defense unit.

On June 11, supporters of the OCU organized a territorial community assembly in Myronivka to "transfer" the St. Michael's Church to their structure, but the majority of those present opposed this move. However, the initiators of the assembly, including Father Vladimir Petrik, ignored the majority's opinion and presented the vote of like-minded individuals as the decision of the religious community. Based on this decision, the authorities re-registered the St. Michael's parish with the OCU.

Photo: Bila Tserkva Eparchy