Conflict Over Disputed Church of Kyivan Patriarchate to Be Settled

The Church of St. Volodymyr in Novoarkhangelsk, where clashes between the community of the Kyivan Patriarchate and unknown raiders and police took place on 23 April, was sealed and the parish priest and the faithful were not let in.

The Church of St. Volodymyr in Novoarkhangelsk, where clashes between the community of the Kyivan Patriarchate and unknown raiders and police took place on April 23, was sealed and the parish priest and the faithful were not let in. The church is now under the supervision of state guards, Gre4ka.info reported.

According to the deputy head of the Novoarkhangelsk Regional State Administration, Viktor Reznik, on April 24, in the office of the head of the administration, Andrii Nikolaienko, Bishop Iosaf of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church-Moscow Patriarchate will meet with Bishop Mark of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church-Kyivan Patriarchate to try to settle the issue.

Deputy Sviatoslav Khanenko promised that he would meet with the minister and head of the Supreme Council and would make efforts to initiate the establishment of a special investigation committee with regard to yesterday’s events.

The faithful of the Kyivan Patriarchate threatened that they would gather near the church again on April 28 if the building is not returned to them.