In Volyn, anniversary of church built to replace seized one celebrated

On July 7, 2025, in the village of Bronitsa, Kamin-Kashyrskyi district, Metropolitan Nathaniel of Volyn and Lutsk celebrated the Divine Liturgy at the Church of the "Quick to Hear" Icon of the Mother of God. This was reported by the press service of the Volyn Eparchy.

The service took place on the feast day of the Nativity of the Venerable and Glorious Prophet and Forerunner John the Baptist. On this day, the Orthodox community prayerfully marked the fourth anniversary of the consecration of the new church, built after the previous one was seized by OCU supporters.

His Eminence was concelebrated by the dean of the Oleksiivka district, Archpriest Bohdan Andriychuk, the rector of the church, Archpriest Nazariy Pryimak, and the head of the eparchial Office, Archimandrite Paisiy (Khomych).

During the Liturgy, petitions were offered for peace in Ukrainian land, its defenders, and deliverance from the enemy, as well as for those who are in despair, have lost their homes, or are in need. Special prayers were offered for all people of goodwill who provide assistance to those in distress.

Memorial prayers were also offered for all fallen Ukrainian soldiers, the innocently killed during the war, and all departed Orthodox Christians. At the end of the service, a rite of glorification was performed before the icon of the feast. After this, the archpastor addressed the faithful with a pastoral word.

Let us recall that in 2019, in the village of Bronytsia, supporters of the OCU broke the locks on the UOC church and and, using physical force, removed the rector from the premises. The police did not record any damage, but the church was sealed. The rector of the church, Father Serhiy Holodiuk, called the incident an attack on the shrine.

Earlier, the UOJ reported that in the village of Hilcha, after losing their church, UOC believers pray in a parishioner's house.