RISU (Religious Information Service of Ukraine)·🇺🇦 Ukraine·
Pastor Oleksandr Kolotun and his 14-year-old daughter Hanna died in the Kherson region after a drone strike hit their car. The incident occurred on Tuesday evening as they returned from humanitarian aid distribution in the Radensk and Oleshky areas. According to the outlet 7x70, the vehicle was destroyed by a direct hit near Melitopol. Kolotun had previously met with Russian President Vladimir Putin in June, where his wife received an honor. While his family had relocated to the Krasnodar Krai, he continued traveling to the Kherson region for ministry work.
RISU (Religious Information Service of Ukraine)·🇺🇦 Ukraine·
In the village of Politsi, Volyn region, a priest from the Ukrainian Orthodox Church under the Moscow Patriarchate refused to allow the coffin of fallen soldier Oleksandr Oliferchuk into his church. The soldier's family wanted clergy from the Orthodox Church of Ukraine to conduct the funeral rites. According to the soldier's sister, Alla, the priest explicitly stated he would not open the church if Orthodox Church of Ukraine clergy were present. The incident occurred after the soldier's death was confirmed by DNA testing following his final battle in Sumy region. Local residents reportedly stood silently during the procession.
RISU (Religious Information Service of Ukraine)·🇺🇦 Ukraine·
According to RISU, citing journalist Yaroslava Mishchenko, Ukrainians are submitting prayer notes for the health of drone forces commander Robert Brovdi, known by the callsign Madyar. Photos show handwritten requests mentioning both his birth name, Mykhailo, and his legal name, Robert. Clergy have asked parishioners to clarify which name was used during his baptism. Brovdi, born in Uzhhorod, leads the newly formed Drone Forces of the Ukrainian military. The article also notes that Russia has offered a bounty for his capture and issued an arrest warrant.
RISU (Religious Information Service of Ukraine)·🇷🇺 Russia·
A Russian Orthodox cathedral in St. Petersburg, Russia, hosted a military-themed event featuring a competition to assemble assault rifles. The ceremony included an honor guard, military bands, and city officials. Artemiy Naumov, the cathedral’s rector and a colonel chaplain, was involved. Deputy Mikhail Kogan attended, declaring victory over the enemy. The event also displayed military gear, drones, and ammunition, alongside children’s activities and concerts, according to RISU and the group Christians Against War.
Relatives of Ukrainian prisoners of war and missing soldiers visited the Vatican in late September. During a general audience on September 23, Pope Leo XIV greeted the group. Women such as Yulia, Olesya, and Tetiana shared their stories with Vatican News. They described the pain of waiting for news about their husbands and brothers. The families emphasized that they did not choose to be strong but must fight for their loved ones' return. They hope the international community sees their resilience and supports the struggle for peace and justice.
RISU (Religious Information Service of Ukraine)·🇺🇦 Ukraine·
According to RISU, more than 20 temples of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church have been destroyed by Russian shelling in the Sumy region of Ukraine. Bishop Methodius stated that the damage includes historic sites such as the Holy Resurrection Cathedral and churches in Yunkivtsi. Some of these buildings are protected cultural heritage sites. The diocese has submitted documentation regarding the destruction to the General Prosecutor's Office. Despite the losses, clergy continue services where it is safe to do so, noting that only about 10 percent of their 300 temples have shelters.
The St. Jadwiga Foundation celebrated its 35th anniversary in Wroclaw, Poland, on October 3-4, 2026. The organization, which connects Wroclaw, Dortmund, and Lviv, traces its roots to 1960s Polish-German reconciliation efforts. Today, it focuses on humanitarian aid for Ukraine. Father Rafal Zborowski of Caritas Spes in Lviv stated that donations from Wroclaw enable daily hot meals for 500 people, including elderly residents and displaced persons. The foundation also supports a pediatric hospice and hospital through cooperation with the 'Give Hope' Foundation. This initiative demonstrates how historical reconciliation has evolved into sustained solidarity with those affected by the war in Ukraine.
RISU (Religious Information Service of Ukraine)·🇺🇦 Ukraine·
The Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church established a new world record for the largest mass performance of a Christian song. The event, organized by Live Television, culminated in Kyiv on October 4, 2026. According to the National Register of Records of Ukraine, 674 choir members participated in the final performance of the Marian hymn. The record was certified by expert Mark Orlovsky and accepted by Bishop Josyf Milyan. The festival included online submissions from parishes across Ukraine and abroad, highlighting the unity of the global community under the leadership of Major Archbishop Sviatoslav Shevchuk.
RISU (Religious Information Service of Ukraine)·🇺🇦 Ukraine·
Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin stated that Ukraine has the right to self-defense in an interview with La Repubblica, as reported by Vatican News. He described the conflict as a tragedy and called for an end to war and inequality. Parolin emphasized the need for a ceasefire and long-term European security cooperation. The Holy See remains ready to assist, provided international law is strictly observed. This statement highlights the Vatican's stance on the ongoing war in Ukraine amid rising attacks and winter concerns.
RISU (Religious Information Service of Ukraine)·🇺🇦 Ukraine·
A Russian missionary, cited by the outlet Christians Against War, stated that the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (Moscow Patriarchate) is part of the Russian Orthodox Church. He argued that Russia should intervene to stop alleged persecution of Russians abroad, including in Ukraine. The missionary claimed that oppression of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church must cease. This statement reinforces the group's position that the Ukrainian church is under the jurisdiction of the Russian church, despite the ongoing conflict between the two nations.
On October 1, 2026, a Russian drone hit a school in Kyiv’s Solomianskyi district during an air raid. A teacher named Oksana told Vatican News that while no one was injured, the constant alerts cause severe emotional exhaustion. She noted that students and staff must frequently move between classrooms and shelters, disrupting education. This follows recent attacks in Sumy and Vyshhorod that killed a child. Oksana refuses to leave Kyiv, stating she wants to live in her native city despite the fear and fatigue caused by the ongoing war.
Translated from УкраїнськаAlso reported by 1 other outlet
RISU (Religious Information Service of Ukraine)·🇺🇦 Ukraine·
According to the project Christians Against War, reported by RISU, Russian forces have damaged or destroyed more than 800 religious structures in Ukraine. The majority of these sites, totaling 432, belong to communities of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate. Approximately 80 buildings from various denominations have been completely demolished, while over 135 suffered severe damage making restoration impossible. The authors note that many structures were struck multiple times, with some ultimately ruined due to repeated attacks.
Translated from УкраїнськаAlso reported by 1 other outlet
RISU (Religious Information Service of Ukraine)·🇺🇦 Ukraine·
The head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, Sviatoslav Shevchuk, expressed gratitude to Cardinal Matteo Zuppi for visiting Ukrainian prisoners of war in Russia. According to the church's information department, Shevchuk described the visit as a crucial step, noting that Russian authorities have blocked other international institutions from accessing detention sites. He emphasized that the papal envoy's presence helps restore dignity and faith to captives who are isolated from time and society. The leader also thanked Pope Leo XIV for assisting in prisoner releases, stating that preserving the identity of defenders is a step toward lasting peace. Official figures indicate thousands of Ukrainians remain in Russian captivity.
RISU (Religious Information Service of Ukraine)·🇺🇦 Ukraine·
Archbishop Silvester Stoychev of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church analyzed a 114-page report by the Russian Foreign Ministry regarding religious life in Ukraine. He argues the document is propaganda designed to support Russia's war efforts and mislead the international community. Stoychev claims the report manipulates facts, such as misrepresenting Ukrainian legislation and falsely listing clergy as missing when they were released. He notes the report ignores the destruction of over 400 Ukrainian Orthodox churches by Russian forces and the persecution of clergy in occupied territories. The Archbishop emphasizes that the Church never requested Russian state intervention in its internal affairs.
RISU (Religious Information Service of Ukraine)·🇸🇪 Sweden·
The Christian Council of Sweden announced on October 1 that it has suspended the membership of the Russian Orthodox Church. This decision formalizes an agreement in place since 2022, citing the war in Ukraine and security concerns as reasons cooperation is no longer possible. The council updated its membership criteria in 2026 to emphasize human dignity and democracy, adding tools to suspend members. This follows a 2024 decision by a Swedish agency to deny funding to the Russian Orthodox Church after intelligence warnings about espionage activities.
RISU (Religious Information Service of Ukraine)·🇺🇦 Ukraine·
A court in Zaporizhzhia, Ukraine, has convicted Ukrainian Orthodox Church priest Anatoliy Zigar in absentia for collaboration with Russian occupation authorities. The outlet reports he received an 11-year prison sentence and property confiscation for information activities supporting the occupiers and denying Russian aggression. Additionally, he was barred from public office for 13 years. Zigar served as the head of a church in Vasylivka district and later joined the Russian Orthodox Church. He participated in a Moscow military parade, accepted gifts from occupation officials, and acted as a spiritual advisor to a Russian volunteer battalion, conducting ceremonies for its fighters. This case highlights legal consequences for clergy cooperating with invading forces.
RISU (Religious Information Service of Ukraine)·🇺🇦 Ukraine·
According to RISU, a Russian drone attack on the Kyiv region of Ukraine caused damage to several structures in the Borispol district. Early morning reports from the Kyiv Regional Military Administration indicate that six private homes, a church, a primary school, a cafe, and a hospital were affected. Most damage consisted of broken windows and doors. Fortunately, there were no casualties or injuries among the local population. Ukrainian air defense systems neutralized 123 out of 135 launched drones during this night operation.
RISU (Religious Information Service of Ukraine)·🇵🇱 Poland·
Polish prosecutors state that the Ukrainian man accused of a knife attack at a Benedictine monastery in Jarosław, Poland, remains in a state of psychosis. Spokeswoman Małgorzata Taciu-Kurasiewicz told Ukrinform that psychiatric experts found the suspect, identified as Igor M., unfit for questioning. A repeat assessment is expected in two weeks. The attack on September 24 resulted in the death of a priest and injuries to four others. Authorities are coordinating with Ukrainian officials through international legal assistance channels to continue the investigation while the suspect receives pharmacological treatment.
RISU (Religious Information Service of Ukraine)·🇷🇺 Russia·
Cardinal Pietro Zuppi visited a detention camp in Russia to deliver a message of solidarity from Pope Leo XIV to Ukrainian prisoners of war. According to Vatican News, the visit took place on Wednesday, accompanied by Apostolic Nuncio Archbishop Giovanni d'Aniello. During the trip, Cardinal Zuppi met with Russian officials, including Yuri Ushakov and human rights commissioners Yana Lantratova and Maria Lvova-Belova. The discussions focused on prisoner exchanges, missing persons, and family reunification. The cardinal emphasized the need to accelerate checks to facilitate the return of families. This follows a previous visit in October 2024 regarding the war that began in 2022.
Translated from Українська
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