Kyiv authorities demand demolition of UOC church
Municipal officials have demanded that the Transfiguration community dismantle its own church building.
In Kyiv, a notice of impending demolition has appeared on the building of the UOC Church of the Transfiguration on Avtozavodska Street, according to the Dozor Telegram channel.
City authorities demanded that the rector, Archpriest Alexander Prochenko, and parishioners dismantle the shrine themselves by June 9. If they refuse, officials said the church would be demolished by force.
The church is located in a public garden on the grounds of a former tuberculosis dispensary and has been operating since 2012. At the time, the community reached an agreement with the management of the medical facility allowing the church to function on the site.
In March 2018, an attempt was already made to destroy the shrine – unknown individuals smashed its windows and set the building on fire using an incendiary mixture. Through the efforts of the rector and parishioners, however, the church was restored. Now the church is once again under threat. Members of the community are asking for prayerful support.
As the UOJ reported, the issue of demolishing UOC churches in Kyiv has been placed on the agenda of the Kyiv City Council.