Kropyvnytskyi City Council Forces Transfer of the Church of the Intercession (UOC) to Schismatics
On March 25, 2025, the Kropyvnytskyi City Council voted to transfer the Church of the Intercession, noting the AFU's desire for a "garrison church."
The decision, backed by 27 deputies, was made in response to a military request for a garrison church. The UOC community, which restored and maintained the church, was not consulted.
One would imagine that the commander could have simply asked the parish rector if his troops could attend the parish, or if a chaplain could be assigned to help with the increased volume of believers.
Unfortunately, this is not possible, as the Zelensky Government has banned clergy of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church from serving as military chaplains.
This move follows a pattern of local authorities forcefully transferring UOC properties to the OCU.
Originally reported by: Union of Orthodox Journalists—Main Branch (spzh.eu)
