OCU supporters do not allow cross walkers to stay overnight in Demydivka
Provocateurs attempted to block the path of pilgrims, attacked UOC parishioners, pushed men and women, and tried to take away icons.
In the village of Demydivka, Rivne region, OCU supporters blocked the path of the cross procession participants heading from the Volyn region to the Pochaiv Lavra on July 31, 2025. This was reported by «Suspilne.Rivne».
In previous years, pilgrims traditionally stayed overnight on the grounds of the St. John the Theologian Church of the UOC in Demydivka, but this time local supporters of the OCU drove them out of the village.
"This morning at 5 o'clock people went out with flags to the bridge to stop the pilgrims, but someone warned them. They got on buses at 4 a.m. and left towards Volyn," noted the village head, Serhiy Radchenko.
The provocation was also confirmed by the local police. As reported by law enforcement agencies, they received several reports regarding the situation.
"They have already left the territory of the Rivne region. There are no casualties as a result of the clash," said the spokesperson of the Rivne region police.
In the video published on the Telegram channel "Rivne 1283," it can be seen how anti-church activists began attacking UOC parishioners, pushing men and women, and humiliating and insulting them. They tried to seize icons. And all of this happened in front of children who also participated in the prayer procession.
The police stood by and watched this barbarity without intervening at all.
As reported by the UOJ, on August 3, 2025, pilgrims from the Volyn region reached the Pochaiv Monastery.
