Locks Cut from Village Church in Chernihiv Region as Congregation Switches to Orthodox Church of Ukraine

Dispute Erupts in Bezuhlivka Village

According to Главком: On April 15, residents of Bezuhlivka village in the Chernihiv region cut the locks from their local church. This action followed the refusal of Father Yaroslav Sobolevsky, the rector of the Saint Michael's Church, to hand over the keys. The congregation had officially decided in January to leave the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (Moscow Patriarchate) and join the Orthodox Church of Ukraine (OCU). This religious realignment is part of a broader national movement in Ukraine away from churches with historic ties to Moscow. The transition was approved by the Chernihiv Eparchy of the OCU and was supported by an order from the head of the Chernihiv Regional Military Administration.

The Congregation's Transition Process

The community's move to change affiliations began back in September of last year. However, Father Sobolevsky contested the legitimacy of the process, stating:

“How can I hand over the keys when no one has approached me? This is the first I'm hearing about a transition from you. I know there was a meeting. The congregation of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church left that meeting. We walked out because everything was unjust: they were doing whatever they wanted.” - Yaroslav Sobolevsky

He also expressed outrage at the composition of the voting congregation, claiming it included people he had 'never seen in church in their lives.'

After villagers decided to cut the locks, police were called to open the church. New locks have now been installed and order is being restored. The rector and his supporters removed the icons that were previously in the church, replacing them with others. As of the end of March 2026, Ukrainian courts have not ceased the activities of any religious organization that has ignored the requirement to remove signs of affiliation with the Russian Orthodox Church.

The situation in Bezuhlivka highlights the complex and often contentious process of religious communities in Ukraine changing their allegiance, set against the backdrop of the ongoing war with Russia. These transitions frequently lead to conflicts between clergy and parishioners, revealing deep societal divisions. It also underscores the significant influence that official decisions at the eparchial and state levels can have on local religious practices and community identity.

The recent events in Bezuhlivka village reflect a growing trend across Ukraine, where many communities are choosing to realign with the Orthodox Church of Ukraine. Since the onset of the conflict in 2022, over 1,300 parishes have transitioned from the UOC to the OCU, signaling a significant shift in religious affiliations and national identity amid ongoing tensions. Understanding this broader context can provide deeper insights into the motivations behind such local actions.