25 churches seized in Ternopil Diocese but not a single priest went into schism

Ternopil, Ukraine, March 17, 2020

Met. Sergei of Ternopil. Photo: pravoslavie.ru Met. Sergei of Ternopil. Photo: pravoslavie.ru     

Last week, His Grace Bishop Pimen of Dubna, vicar of the Rivne Diocese, stated that not a single one of the diocese’s 300 priests abandoned the Church for the schismatic “Orthodox Church of Ukraine.”

And in a recent interview, His Eminence Metropolitan Sergei of Ternopil announced that although 25 churches in the diocese have been seized by schismatic radicals, they were unable to persuade a single priest to abandon the Church.

“We thank God that although more than 25 churches were taken away from us, all the priests remained faithful to the Church of Christ with their faithful flock and continue their ministry in any conditions,” the Metropolitan said on the program Stained Glass Windows: On Faith in Colors.

But despite the hostility against them, the faithful of the canonical Church continue to manifest Christian virtues: “And what’s most important—may God preserve it—they are trying to be at peace not only with each other, but also with those through whom the enemy has deprived them of their external temples. But they protect the temple of their souls.”

And moreover, according to Met. Sergius, the people and clergy have embraced the persecutions as their path to the strengthening of their faith.

“The people realized that they couldn’t stay in those churches, because the peace of God was lost there. People had succumbed to the influence of the evil one there, which is manifested by evil. Therefore, the people followed the words of the Prophet David: Depart from evil, and do good (Ps. 33:15),” explained Met. Sergei.

The hierarch stressed that the people continue to gather to celebrate the services, though in different locations now, and that they do not get angry but live in peace with one another, confirming that they live by the grace of God.

“We thank God that there are such people, such priests. It means the Lord lives! The faith is alive!” Met. Sergei concluded.

Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Vkontakte, and Telegram!

3/17/2020

See also
None of the 300 clerics of Rivne Diocese departed into schism—Bishop Pimen None of the 300 clerics of Rivne Diocese departed into schism—Bishop Pimen None of the 300 clerics of Rivne Diocese departed into schism—Bishop Pimen None of the 300 clerics of Rivne Diocese departed into schism—Bishop Pimen
Despite the pressure and persecution from the government and the radical schismatic-nationalists, the clergy of the Rivne Diocese of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church have stood strong in their confession of faith in Jesus Christ and His holy Orthodox Church.
There is no one to serve, no one to go to the services: churches seized by schismatics in Volyn sit empty There is no one to serve, no one to go to the services: churches seized by schismatics in Volyn sit empty There is no one to serve, no one to go to the services: churches seized by schismatics in Volyn sit empty There is no one to serve, no one to go to the services: churches seized by schismatics in Volyn sit empty
While the Ukrainian nationalist-schismatics have been very active in forcefully seizing and illegally re-registering churches and proclaiming to the media that 100s of parishes have joined the “Orthodox Church of Ukraine,” the situation on the ground often paints a different picture.
Ukrainian village faithful have greater thirst for God after losing church to schismatics, canonical rector says Ukrainian village faithful have greater thirst for God after losing church to schismatics, canonical rector says Ukrainian village faithful have greater thirst for God after losing church to schismatics, canonical rector says Ukrainian village faithful have greater thirst for God after losing church to schismatics, canonical rector says
According to Fr. Seraphim, although the court granted the complaint of human rights defenders about the violation of the rights of the UOC in the village, it did not render any decision on the order to re-register the community in the OCU.
Ukrainian villagers celebrate 1-year anniversary of round-the-clock prayer vigils in defense of their church Ukrainian villagers celebrate 1-year anniversary of round-the-clock prayer vigils in defense of their church Ukrainian villagers celebrate 1-year anniversary of round-the-clock prayer vigils in defense of their church Ukrainian villagers celebrate 1-year anniversary of round-the-clock prayer vigils in defense of their church
During that time, they have endured insults, beatings, vandalism, pressure, and physical and legal threats, but their faith has only become more steadfast they say.
Two Ukrainian parishes win court claims over being illegally re-registered to schismatic OCU Two Ukrainian parishes win court claims over being illegally re-registered to schismatic OCU Two Ukrainian parishes win court claims over being illegally re-registered to schismatic OCU Two Ukrainian parishes win court claims over being illegally re-registered to schismatic OCU
The rectors of two canonical Ukrainian parishes that were illegally re-registered to the schismatic “Orthodox Church of Ukraine” have won their court cases in defense of their churches.
Schismatic Dumenko laments lawsuits protecting parishes from being “transferred” to OCU Schismatic Dumenko laments lawsuits protecting parishes from being “transferred” to OCU Schismatic Dumenko laments lawsuits protecting parishes from being “transferred” to OCU Schismatic Dumenko laments lawsuits protecting parishes from being “transferred” to OCU
At a press conference on the occasion of the 1st anniversary of his enthronement as primate of the politically-created church, Dumenko laments that almost every parish community that has “transferred” to his OCU has a corresponding legal claim from the canonical Ukrainian Church.
Comments
Anna3/18/2020 5:33 am
God keep you strong Dear Fathers! You are in our prayers.
Here you can leave your comment on the present article, not exceeding 4000 characters. All comments will be read by the editors of OrthoChristian.Com.
Enter through FaceBook
Your name:
Your e-mail:
Enter the digits, seen on picture:

Characters remaining: 4000

Subscribe
to our mailing list

* indicates required
×