RISU (Religious Information Service of Ukraine)·🇺🇦 Ukraine·
Ukrainian religious leaders issued a statement condemning the escalation of Russian attacks and warning the world against appeasing the aggressor. The Interconfessional Council of Religious Organizations in Ukraine called for increased sanctions against Russian officials and clergy complicit in crimes. The declaration followed a massive missile and drone strike on Kyiv on October 22, 2026, which killed one person and injured at least 22 others. The group stated that releasing hostages does not justify labeling Vladimir Putin as a humanitarian. They urged democratic governments to maintain consistent support for Ukraine to stop the war and prevent further destruction across Europe.
RISU (Religious Information Service of Ukraine)·🇺🇦 Ukraine·
Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church youth in Cologne, Germany, passed a symbolic peace fire to communities in Lviv and Zaporizhzhia, Ukraine. According to the Church's information department, participants received three candles during a service. One remains in Cologne to support displaced Ukrainians, while the other two were sent to Lviv for internally displaced persons and to Zaporizhzhia to show solidarity with those near the front lines. The initiative, supported by Father Tobias Schwaderlap, aligns with the long-standing 'Light from Altenberg' tradition. Additionally, the group raised over 50,000 hryvnias for a charging station for youth ministry in the Donetsk exarchate. Ulyana Derkach helped transport the candles to Ukraine.
RISU (Religious Information Service of Ukraine)·🇺🇦 Ukraine·
The head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, Sviatoslav, has again transmitted lists of Ukrainian prisoners of war to Pope Leo XIV. According to the Synod of Bishops, the names are provided directly by families during meetings across Ukraine. Sviatoslav thanked the Pope for supporting Ukraine and calling for an end to the war and attacks on civilians. He highlighted the Holy See's humanitarian diplomacy, including Cardinal Zuppi's visit to Russian prisons. The leader also discussed preparations for winter and asked for continued international Catholic solidarity amid the ongoing conflict.
RISU (Religious Information Service of Ukraine)·🇺🇦 Ukraine·
The Office of the Prosecutor General of Ukraine announced charges against a representative of the Melitopol occupation administration for forcibly displacing Ukrainian Greek Catholic priests. According to the outlet, the suspect collaborated with Russian military and FSB officials to persecute clergy who maintained a pro-Ukrainian stance. He demanded they stop services in Ukrainian, cease mentioning Ukrainian soldiers in prayers, and re-register under Russian law. The suspect also gathered intelligence on these priests for further repression. This action violates laws of war. The article also notes that Artem Sharlay, another occupation official, faces similar charges for targeting religious communities in the Zaporizhzhia region.
RISU (Religious Information Service of Ukraine)·🇺🇦 Ukraine·
A court in Ukraine sentenced Vasyl Tulyulyuk, a community leader of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, to two years of probation for organizing the illegal crossing of two military-age men into Romania. According to RISU, the scheme was uncovered by law enforcement in October 2025. Tulyulyuk and accomplice Ihor Fominov agreed to transport the men for 26,000 euros. The transaction involved fake and real currency provided by the Security Service of Ukraine. The defendants pleaded guilty and donated millions of hryvnias to the Armed Forces, which the court considered during sentencing. The incident occurred in the Chernivtsi region.
RISU (Religious Information Service of Ukraine)·🇺🇦 Ukraine·
Lenur Khalilov, head of the independent Crimean Tatar Muslim community in Alushta, is in critical condition while serving a sentence in a Russian colony. Refat Chubarov, chairman of the Crimean Tatar People's Mejlis, reported the deterioration of Khalilov's health, citing liver cancer and hepatitis C. A human rights activist noted he can barely move. Although previously released for health reasons, a Russian court reversed the decision, returning him to custody. His imprisonment is linked to Russian pressure on independent religious groups in occupied Crimea. The full report is available from RISU.
RISU (Religious Information Service of Ukraine)·🇺🇦 Ukraine·
The Russian Orthodox Church has prohibited its clergy from making public statements without official blessing. According to Radio Svoboda, citing the Holy Synod's Journal No. 82, a new oath clause forbids speeches that discredit the Church or distort its teachings. This restriction applies to media appearances and social media use. The move follows increased persecution of priests since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, many of whom faced backlash for preaching peace, refusing to pray for Russian military victory, or criticizing the war online.
RISU (Religious Information Service of Ukraine)·🇺🇦 Ukraine·
The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) has exposed a woman, the wife of a Ukrainian Orthodox Church (Moscow Patriarchate) priest, and a Russian citizen in the Cherkasy region for spreading pro-Kremlin propaganda. According to the SBU, the woman distributed hostile content among acquaintances and parishioners. The Russian national, who holds permanent residency in Ukraine, minimized the war as an internal conflict and supported territorial annexations. Experts confirmed their subversive activities benefiting the aggressor state. Both individuals have been formally charged under Article 436-2 of Ukraine's Criminal Code. They face up to eight years in prison and confiscation of property.
RISU (Religious Information Service of Ukraine)·🇺🇦 Ukraine·
A Russian missile strike hit the Pechersk district of Kyiv, Ukraine, damaging the Holy Nativity Monastery of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church. Regional head Nataliya Kondrashova reported that 18 residential buildings, a medical station, and several ambulances were affected. A fragment struck an icon near the monastery entrance. Two people were injured. The monastery has faced scrutiny for pro-Russian activities, including recent Security Service of Ukraine searches. The Kyiv Pechersk Lavra is located nearby. Authorities are currently assessing the damage and coordinating restoration efforts.
RISU (Religious Information Service of Ukraine)·🇺🇦 Ukraine·
A resident of the Rivne region in Ukraine was sentenced for making insulting comments about parishioners of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine. According to RISU, the court ruling dated October 20 states that in February, Oleksandr Mosiychuk described believers switching from the Moscow Patriarchate as Judas figures who crucify Christ. He also shared a video on Facebook in March that insulted those supporting the transition. Experts concluded his actions aimed to incite religious hatred. The defendant admitted guilt and reached an agreement with prosecutors. His mobile phone will be confiscated as part of the penalty.
RISU (Religious Information Service of Ukraine)·🇺🇦 Ukraine·
Kyiv authorities have allocated 26.6 million hryvnias for emergency repairs to the Assumption Cathedral at the Kyiv Pechersk Lavra in Ukraine. The National Sanctuary signed a contract with Metal Roof Group on September 29, 2026, to remove damaged roofing and reinforce the structure by December 25, 2026. This work follows a Russian drone strike on June 15, 2026, which severely damaged the historic site. Sanctuary director Maksym Ostapenko stated that restoration could take two years. The contractor previously worked on other Ukrainian heritage sites, including Saint Sophia's Cathedral.
RISU (Religious Information Service of Ukraine)·🇺🇦 Ukraine·
Authorities in Ukraine arrested an archimandrite of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine on October 23 for attempting to smuggle a draft dodger across the border into Slovakia. The cleric met the man in Kyiv and drove him toward the border near Velky Berezhny. After a failed first attempt, the priest offered to help again for a reduced fee of 1,100 dollars. Police intercepted the pair, seizing cash and cannabis from the cleric. The suspect, identified by ZAXID.NET as Antoniy Khvitsa, was taken into custody. He faces up to nine years in prison for organizing illegal border crossings for profit.
RISU (Religious Information Service of Ukraine)·🇺🇦 Ukraine·
Approximately twenty priests from the Khmelnytskyi diocese of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church donated blood at the regional blood service center in Khmelnytskyi city. The action was organized to support the Armed Forces of Ukraine. The diocese's press service reported the event, stating that donation is a manifestation of sacrificial love for neighbors. This initiative highlights the church's contribution to the military's medical needs during the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
RISU (Religious Information Service of Ukraine)·🇵🇹 Portugal·
Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church Basilian monks celebrated 25 years of missionary work in Portugal. Events included a conference and liturgies in Lisbon and Fatima. Ukrainian Ambassador Marina Mykhaylenko and church leaders attended. The mission began in 2001 to serve Ukrainian migrants. Bishop Dionysius Lyakhovych and Bishop Volodymyr Yushchak led services. The celebration highlighted the growth of Ukrainian church structures abroad. Activities included pilgrimages and cultural performances. The event recognized the ongoing support for the community over two and a half decades.
RISU (Religious Information Service of Ukraine)·🇧🇾 Belarus·
Father Leontiy Tumovsky was inaugurated as the new Apostolic Administrator for Greek Catholics in Belarus, according to RISU. The ceremony included Archbishop Yusef Stanevsky, former administrator Archimandrite Sergei Gaiak, and Apostolic Nuncio Ignazio Ceffalia. This leadership change occurs during a difficult period for the community, which lost 25% of its registered parishes following government re-registration efforts. The article attributes these losses to the repressive policies of the Lukashenko regime against religious groups deemed undesirable by the authorities. Tumovsky, born in Polotsk, holds a doctorate in theology from Rome and has served in Poland since 2022.
The Vatican will host an international congress titled 'Church of Sheaves' from October 22 to 24, 2026, at the Pontifical Urban University. Organized by the Dicastery for Evangelization, the event aims to redefine mission as a mutual exchange of gifts among local churches rather than a one-way donation. Archbishop Fortunatus Nwachukwu explains the initiative draws inspiration from Psalm 126, emphasizing reciprocity and intercultural dialogue. This congress is part of a broader formation path concluding in 2028, which includes online courses and theological publications to help Christian communities view differences as resources for unity.
RISU (Religious Information Service of Ukraine)·🇺🇦 Ukraine·
The Northern Appellate Court in Ukraine postponed the hearing of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate's appeal regarding the lease of the Kyiv Pechersk Lavra. The session, originally scheduled for October 20, was delayed due to an air raid alert and will resume on November 3 at 14:00. The dispute concerns the use of the Dormition Cathedral and the Refectory Church. Activists gathered outside the court to protest the church's presence, citing its ties to Russian imperial history. The National Reserve insists that the church's continued presence without a new agreement is illegal. The UOC MP seeks to maintain worship services under previous terms.
RISU (Religious Information Service of Ukraine)·🇺🇦 Ukraine·
The Philadelphia Archeparchy of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church is sending more than 250,000 dollars to Ukraine, according to RISU. Three anonymous donors pledged to match contributions up to this amount, with the doubled funds going to the Healing the Wounds of War in Ukraine Fund. The money was raised during charity events in Philadelphia and Whippany, New Jersey, led by Metropolitan Borys Gudziak. The archeparchy also noted raising over half a million dollars total to support its own clergy formation and staff initiatives. The aid aims to help those affected by the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
RISU (Religious Information Service of Ukraine)·🇺🇦 Ukraine·
The State Service of Ukraine for Ethnic Affairs and Religious Freedom (DESS) has determined that the Balt Eparchy administration of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine shows signs of affiliation with the Russian Orthodox Church. The agency states that the eparchy is part of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, which is linked to the banned Moscow Patriarchate. This decision was issued under Ukrainian laws protecting the constitutional order. Additionally, clergy from the Balt Eparchy expressed concern to Metropolitan Onufriy regarding their bishop's public statements affirming unity with the Russian Orthodox Church and his mention of Patriarch Kirill during services. The findings highlight ongoing scrutiny of religious organizations with foreign ties in Ukraine.
Translated from Українська
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