At least five Ukrainian churches confronted by Russian intimidation
15-10-2022
A Russian soldier walks by a church. Photo AFP, Alexander Nemenov
Russian authorities have closed down several churches in the Ukrainian territory they annexed. Among the closed buildings are the three largest Evangelical Protestant churches in Melitopol. Also, in Mariupol, some congregations can no longer gather in their building.
"Only one faith is allowed: Orthodoxy", a Russian soldier allegedly said during one of the raids. That is reported by Release International, an organisation for persecuted Christians. At least five churches suffered from Russian harassment, according to several news reports. Russian forces are known to have broken into worship services and ban the congregation from their building.
Banned from the city
There are known cases where Russians damaged and desacralised church buildings of non-Orthodox congregations. According to Release International, the Russians tore down the white cross of the Melitopol Christian Church, the largest charismatic church in the area. In addition, the occupiers turned the building into a sports complex.
One of the churches that it happened to is the Grace Baptist Church in Melitopol. According to Risa.ua and Voice of the Martyrs Korea, armed men entered the sanctuary during the singing of a hymn. Voice of the Martyrs spokesperson Hyun Sook Foley says: "They halted the worship service, registered the names of those present and detained several office bearers." The church's pastor, Mikhail Britsyn, was ordered to leave the city within 48 hours.
On September 21, the same occurred in the Church of Grace in the village of Chkalove, in the region of Melitopol, Slovoproslovo writes. Military forces came to an evening service and chased the members of the congregation from their building. They are said to have stated: "You won't set foot here after the referendum. We have only one faith: Orthodox faith."
Pastor detained in unknown place
In addition, the occupiers detained several church leaders, for example, the pastor of the Kurchatov Church in the Mariupol area. The minister and his wife are being held in an unknown place, Religion Unplugged writes. Earlier, Russian officials had accused the pastor and his wife of "extremist" activities. In addition, they had seized the church after members refused to allow a referendum to be held in the building.
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