In Chernivtsi, the first religious community transitioned from the Moscow church to the Orthodox Church of Ukraine.

The community of the Holy Protection Church in Chernivtsi has transitioned from the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate to the Orthodox Church of Ukraine. Priest Roman Gryshchuk from the OCU announced this.

“The land of Bukovina is confidently freeing itself from the Moscow Patriarchate! The first community in the city of Chernivtsi has emerged from Moscow's occupation! The religious community of the Holy Protection Church, Sadgora district. 299 – in favor! The decision was made unanimously!” - it says in the post.

The decision for the church community to leave the jurisdiction of the UOC-MP had been brewing for a long Time, according to the priest. He also stated that 'Father' Mykhailo continued to remember the Moscow Patriarch as his master even after the invasion of the Russian troops, not praying for Ukraine and its warriors.

At the meeting where the question of the religious community's transition to the OCU was decided, more than 300 people gathered. Supporters of the Moscow Patriarchate did not vote. The voting took place outdoors, as the community was not allowed to hold meetings in the cultural center.

The UN expressed criticism towards Ukraine for dissolving religious organizations, including the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate. According to the report from the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Ukraine did not provide sufficient justification for these decisions. Earlier, the UN had already expressed concerns regarding Ukraine due to the actions of the Moscow Church.

It is worth noting that President Volodymyr Zelensky signed a law banning the activities of religious organizations in Ukraine that have a governing center in a state that conducts armed aggression against Ukraine.