Hryshchuk reports on “transfer” of UOC church in Komariv to OCU
OCU chaplain Roman Hryshchuk reported the “transfer” of a religious community in Komariv, linking the decision to events surrounding the funeral of a Ukrainian serviceman.
On January 25, 2026, OCU chaplain Roman Hryshchuk posted on his Facebook page that the religious community of the Dormition of the Mother of God in the village of Komariv (Dnistrovskyi District) had allegedly “transferred” to the OCU.
According to the information he published, 206 people took part in the meeting. 164 participants voted for changing canonical jurisdiction, while 42 voted against.
In his message, Hryshchuk thanked those who attended the meeting and servicemen of the Armed Forces of Ukraine “for the opportunity to build Ukraine”. He also mentioned the fallen serviceman Vitaliy Melnyk, wishing him the Kingdom of Heaven. At the same time, the author directly linked the serviceman’s death to subsequent events in the village, stating: “He managed to help the residents of his village even after death!”
In conclusion, Roman Hryshchuk also mentioned clergy of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church. In particular, he wrote: “Greetings from the village of Komariv to the citizens of the Russian Federation stripped of Ukrainian citizenship – Metropolitan Onufriy, who served today in Banchany, and Meletiy Yehorenko. We greeted you as best we could!”
Earlier, OCU chaplain Roman Hryshchuk became the center of a scandal during the funeral of Ukrainian serviceman Vitaliy Melnyk, which took place on January 14, 2026, in the village of Komariv. According to eyewitness accounts, he publicly demanded that the Royal Doors be opened during the funeral service, despite the UOC priest’s explanation that such an action is not permitted under the church typikon.
When the UOC priest refused to violate the liturgical rules, Hryshchuk reportedly began applying pressure and issuing threats, speaking of possible consequences for the parish.
Earlier, the UOJ wrote that the UOC community in Komariv was asking for help due to the threat of a seizure.
