RISU (Religious Information Service of Ukraine)·🇺🇦 Ukraine·
Ukrainian prosecutors are preparing a lawsuit against the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (Moscow Patriarchate) for its management of the Pochaiv Lavra monastery in the Ternopil region. A Ministry of Culture commission discovered that several historic icons, including an 1807 painting, have disappeared from the site. The commission also documented unauthorized structural changes, such as demolished walls and unapproved murals depicting the Russian imperial family. Vasyl Ilchyshyn, director of the Kremenchuk-Pochaiv State Reserve, stated that monks actively resisted inspections. The regional prosecutor's office is currently gathering evidence to seek early termination of the lease agreement signed in 2003.
RISU (Religious Information Service of Ukraine)·🇺🇦 Ukraine·
Religious scholar Oleksandr Brodetskyi reported that a Russian Orthodox Church website urgently removed an article about Metropolitan Pymen Voyat of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (Moscow Patriarchate) worshipping in Jerusalem. The original post, which showed the bishop serving alongside a representative of the Russian spiritual mission, is now inaccessible. Brodetskyi suggests this deletion indicates pressure from the Ukrainian church to hide ongoing ties with Moscow. Meanwhile, Metropolitan Ilarion of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine in Rivne urged Ukrainian church members to sever connections with Russia and build a future based on truth and responsibility.
Monsignor Friedrich Behina has been elected as the new coordinator of Aid to the Church in Need, a Vatican foundation operating in over 140 countries. The appointment was made during a recent meeting of church assistants in Rome. Behina emphasized the foundation's mission to support persecuted Christians through evangelization and pastoral care rather than general humanitarian aid. He highlighted ongoing projects in the Middle East to help displaced communities and in Africa to train seminarians. The foundation works closely with Pope Leo XIV and Cardinal Kurt Koch to strengthen local churches globally.
RISU (Religious Information Service of Ukraine)·🇺🇦 Ukraine·
Two religious communities in Slaviansk, Ukraine, have officially transferred to the Orthodox Church of Ukraine (OCU). Military figure Oleksandr Onishchenko announced the move, citing years of outreach to parishioners. The congregations, dedicated to St. Seraphim of Sarov and the Icon of the Mother of God 'Unexpected Joy', completed the legal process through regional authorities. This follows a similar transition by a cathedral in the city in April 2026. While some former clergy resisted the change, citing anti-Ukrainian sentiments, the parishioners voted for the shift to align with national religious identity. The groups are now preparing to hold their first services under the new jurisdiction.
RISU (Religious Information Service of Ukraine)·🇺🇦 Ukraine·
The Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church in Canada has started a fundraising campaign to support residents in the Kharkiv and Donbas regions. According to the church's information department, the collected funds will provide food, medicine, blankets, heaters, and generators. The initiative responds to ongoing needs in frontline areas, where over 520,000 internally displaced people reside. Parish centers, such as the Cathedral of Saint Nicholas in Kharkiv, continue to distribute essential supplies to vulnerable groups. The effort involves Ukrainian Catholic eparchies in Canada and the United States, with the Eparchy of Edmonton collaborating with CNEWA for its September campaign.
Translated from Українська
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Illustrative photo
Illustrative photo, not from the original report · Photo by Rasmus Andersen on UnsplashPersecuted church
RISU (Religious Information Service of Ukraine)·🇺🇦 Ukraine·
The Russian Orthodox Church has signed an agreement with the occupied Melitopol State University in Ukraine to promote moral education among students. The deal, signed by the university's appointed rector and Bishop Pyotr of Berdiansk and Primorsk, involves joint programs on spiritual enlightenment and culture. Activities include seminars and encouraging students to help the needy and visit orphanages. The outlet Locator Media reports that priests, rather than educators, will likely lead these efforts. The agreement also aims to combat violence and totalitarian sects while supporting Russian campaigns such as 'Russia without Abortion' and 'Day of Family, Love and Fidelity'.
RISU (Religious Information Service of Ukraine)·🇺🇦 Ukraine·
Maxim Ostapenko, director of the Kyiv Pechersk Lavra National Sanctuary, told Shelter that the Ukrainian Orthodox Church community continues to broadcast Russian propaganda narratives. He stated that the brotherhood remains under the influence of Metropolitan Pavel and publishes a journal in Russian that mirrors current Kremlin messaging. Ostapenko criticized the slow implementation of laws regarding the church and argued that the Russian Orthodox Church plays a destructive role against Ukrainian identity. He urged that the enemy be named as such, noting that moderation is counterproductive during the ongoing war in Ukraine.
RISU (Religious Information Service of Ukraine)·🇺🇦 Ukraine·
The head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, Patriarch Sviatoslav, has urged parishes, monasteries, and communities to become centers of energy resilience this winter. According to the Religious Information Service of Ukraine, the Patriarch stated that Russia is systematically targeting residential buildings, schools, hospitals, and energy infrastructure to freeze Ukrainian cities. He emphasized that preparing for the season requires collective strength rather than panic. The spiritual leader called on the faithful to open their spaces to those suffering from darkness and cold, while also asking international partners to help develop local energy stability in Ukraine.
RISU (Religious Information Service of Ukraine)·🇺🇦 Ukraine·
A pastor from the Poltava region in Ukraine lost a court case challenging his mobilization. Although he had a past criminal record and claimed religious objections to bearing arms, courts ruled the recruitment lawful. The judge noted that recent legal changes removed exemptions for those with serious convictions. Furthermore, alternative civilian service is not available during martial law. The man, who serves at a church in Horishni Plavni, was deemed fit for duty and assigned to logistical support. The ruling emphasizes that defending territorial integrity is a constitutional duty that overrides religious beliefs in this context.
A Catholic bishop in Egypt spoke to Vatican News about the local Catholic community, noting its population has shrunk to 60,000, largely due to Sudanese refugees. He highlighted daily cooperation with the Coptic Orthodox Church and educational ties with Eastern Catholic groups. He also addressed the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the war in Sudan, which has brought one million refugees to the country. The bishop emphasized that these challenges test the local church's social service capacity while fostering spiritual renewal among believers.
RISU (Religious Information Service of Ukraine)·🇺🇦 Ukraine·
A physical altercation took place in the village of Stara Chortoryia, Zhytomyr region, Ukraine, between members of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine and the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate. According to Alexander Litovsky, a local resident, the conflict arose when the new congregation attempted to enter the Holy Trinity Church after receiving official state registration documents. Representatives of the previous group blocked access, leading to pushing and shoving. Regional officials confirmed the legal registration of the new community in August 2026. The new group plans to resolve ownership disputes through legal channels with local authorities.
Translated from Українська
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Illustrative photo, not from the original report · Photo by David Dvořáček on UnsplashPersecuted church
RISU (Religious Information Service of Ukraine)·🇺🇦 Ukraine·
The Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate and the Orthodox Church of Ukraine are engaged in a legal battle over the Troitsky Cathedral in Odessa, Ukraine. Although the building remains under the control of the Moscow Patriarchate, the Orthodox Church of Ukraine recently re-registered the parish community under its own jurisdiction. This move follows parish meetings and statutory changes approved by OCU Archbishop Afanasiy. The Moscow Patriarchate challenges these documents in court, arguing that parishioners were unaware of the meetings and that the legal procedures were flawed. The dispute highlights the ongoing struggle for control over historic religious sites in the region amid the broader conflict between the two church bodies.
RISU (Religious Information Service of Ukraine)·🇷🇺 Russia·
A Moscow court fined the head of Russian Baptists 20,000 rubles for possessing one copy of the Synodal translation Bible, according to RISU. The Bible was published by Mission Eurasia, an American organization designated as undesirable by Russia's Prosecutor General in April. The court rejected defense arguments that punishing the religious organization and its leader for the same offense was excessive. This follows a similar fine imposed on the Golgotha church on September 7 for the same reason. The ruling highlights ongoing legal pressure against religious groups in Russia linked to foreign publications deemed undesirable by state authorities.
RISU (Religious Information Service of Ukraine)·🇺🇦 Ukraine·
A religious community in a village in the Kyiv region of Ukraine has officially transferred from the Ukrainian Orthodox Church under the Moscow Patriarchate to the Orthodox Church of Ukraine. According to reports from a local Facebook group, 119 residents supported the decision while one abstained. The community stated that this move strengthens the Ukrainian church and preserves local traditions. The parish is dedicated to the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God. This transition marks a significant shift in the religious landscape of the area as congregations continue to leave the Moscow-linked church.
The Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church has opened a new seminary in London, United Kingdom, dedicated to the memory of Patriarch Lubomyr Huzar. Six seminarians began their formation for future priesthood in the Eparchy of the Holy Family in London. Bishop Kenneth Nowakowski celebrated the opening liturgy, emphasizing the institution's role in meeting the spiritual needs of the community. Father David Senik was appointed rector for five years. The initiative aims to prepare priests suited to the cultural and pastoral environment of Great Britain while preserving the church's liturgical heritage. Patriarch Sviatoslav sent a congratulatory letter to the new rector.
RISU (Religious Information Service of Ukraine)·🇺🇦 Ukraine·
A priest of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church will receive an award from the Kropyvnytskyi city council in Ukraine. The executive committee approved the decision on September 8, 2026, citing his active spiritual and humanitarian work. Father Ivan has served at the Parish of the Nativity of St. John the Baptist since 2006. Under his leadership, a church was built and new parishes were established in the Kirovohrad region. He also heads the Caritas-Kropyvnytskyi charity foundation and supports internally displaced people. The award will be presented in a ceremonial setting, according to the press service of the Odesa Exarchate.
RISU (Religious Information Service of Ukraine)·🇺🇦 Ukraine·
Major Archbishop Sviatoslav Shevchuk of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church explained the difference between Ukrainian and Russian societies in an interview with the Italian newspaper Il Foglio. He described Ukraine as a flexible network rebuilt through solidarity and church support, while characterizing Russia as a rigid, crumbling pyramid. He warned that if the Russian model prevails, it could lead to another genocide like the Holodomor. He emphasized that Ukraine’s resistance is sustained by a global community of 60 million diaspora members. The Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church’s information department provided the translation of the conversation.
RISU (Religious Information Service of Ukraine)·🇺🇦 Ukraine·
The head of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine blessed and handed over vehicles to Ukrainian soldiers. The event took place in Ukraine, with prayers offered by priests from the village of Bozova in the Kyiv region. The transport was purchased using donations from church benefactors and the local parish. Along with the cars, the defenders received portable defibrillators. These medical devices were acquired with the help of Archpriest Volodymyr Shtyak, who serves as the pastor of the Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral of Saint Andrew in Washington, United States. The Metropolitan thanked the troops for their bravery against Russian aggression.
RISU (Religious Information Service of Ukraine)·🇺🇦 Ukraine·
Ukraine's Security Service (SBU) has formally charged Metropolitan Tikhon, described as Vladimir Putin's spiritual advisor, with treason and justifying Russian aggression. The SBU alleges that Tikhon was among the first to support Russia's full-scale invasion and actively promoted Russian ideology in occupied Crimea. He is accused of using his ecclesiastical position to advocate for the occupation of Ukrainian territory and to justify attacks on Ukrainian cities. Consequently, investigators have issued an in absentia notice of suspicion under articles concerning the violation of territorial integrity and the glorification of aggressors. Authorities are currently conducting measures to bring him to criminal responsibility for crimes against Ukraine.
Translated from Українська
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