The Faithful of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church Build within Seven Months a New Church to Replace the One Seized in the Village of Rakov Les
On 10th January 2021 the bishop of Kamin-Kashyrskyi Athanasius, an auxiliary of the diocese of Volhynia, came to congratulate on the occasion of Christ’s Nativity the persecuted community of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church in the village of Rakov Les in the region of Kamin-Kashyrskyi. Within seven months the faithful, who have remained loyal to the canonical Ukrainian Orthodox Church, have built a new church to replace the one seized by schismatics, reports the media department of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, citing the press service of the diocese of Volhynia.
Bishop Athanasius celebrated the Divine Liturgy in the newly-built church. Concelebrating with the archpastor were the rector of the church archpriest Rostislav Sizhuk and clergy of the diocese of Volhynia.
At the service prayers were said for peace in Ukraine and for the unity of the Orthodox Church.
Also at the liturgy prayers were offered for deliverance from the coronavirus infection, for the health of medical workers and the prayer for the time of pestilence was recited.
At the conclusion of the service bishop Athanasius gave a sermon and presented the children and parishioners with gifts of sweets.