UOC community in Mykhalcha celebrates 2 year-prayer standing for its church

The community of the Holy Dormition Church of the UOC in Mykhalcha. Photo: facebook.com/orthobuk

On February 8, 2021, on the day of the Synaxis of New Martyrs and Confessors of the Russian Land, the UOC community in the village of Mykhalcha, Chernivtsi region, celebrated the second anniversary of prayer standing for the right to remain in the canonical Church, reports the press service of the Chernivtsi-Bukovyna Eparchy.

On the memorable day, the parishioners of the Holy Dormition Church in Mykhalcha prayed at the Sunday Liturgy together with their rector.

It is noted that the confrontation with the supporters of the OCU in Mykhalcha began two years ago on the day of remembrance of the New Martyrs and Confessors who suffered in the 20th century.

“So the believers of the UOC in the village of Mykhalcha took upon themselves the feat of their ancestors and for the second year they have been protecting the purity of the faith from the renovationists (OCU), who are more like a state project than a religious organization,” the message noted.

According to the believers of the Chernivtsi Eparchy, it is the exploit of the new martyrs that inspires them to defend their faith.

“During these two years, believers of the UOC in the village of Mykhalcha have experienced ridicule and abuse from the renovationists of the OCU, pressure at work, ignorance of judges and government officials, beating with sticks, spraying with tear gas, etc.,” the UOC recalled.

Their centenary temple also survived outrage from the renovationists of the OCU: in 2019, supporters of the OCU rammed the ancient doors of the temple; in 2020, more than a hundred young people, wearing masks with sticks and tear gas, brass knuckles and other weapons, broke the doors of the pre-church with an ax."

As reported, after the last assault, the OCU announced that they would not give up the church in Mykhalcha since the head of the Phanar is fighting for their cause.

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