Moscow, November 16, Interfax - The Ukrainian Greek Catholics attempted to seize an Orthodox church in the village of Zarechevo, Perechin district, Transcarpathia region.
The Orthodox village inhabitants could not enter their church for two weeks because the Uniates blocked it up.
The Orthodox church in Zarechevo has always been open, even under the Soviet power. The Greek Catholic comprise 2% of the local worshippers, yet the Transcarpathia administration resolved to build a church for them at the state’s expense. The Orthodox worshippers living in the village favored the decision, the Ukrainian Orthodox Church press service told Interfax.
The Uniates declined the offer and made an attempt to seize the Orthodox church by force.
Bishop Agapit of Uzhgorod and Mukachevo arrived in Zarechevo to encourage his flock. The police managed to stop Uniates’ provocations, and the Orthodox believers could enter the church and celebrate the divine service.
In checking out the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church's website, The Resolutions of The Patriarchal Synod of Bishops of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church make interesting reading.
The first resolution:
1) A sui juris Church;
2) Completely united with the successor of St. Peter- the Bishop of Rome;
3) Bearers of the Eastern Christian Byzantine tradition from the time of Volodymyr's Baptizing;
4) Taking into consideration our history, our geographic location, and our religious and ecclesiastical experience, we are called to assist in the full and mutual understanding of two Christian traditions- Byzantine and Latin.
The list of resolutions concludes with this [bolding is mine]:
These resolutions are effective as of October 14, 2006, on the Feast of theProtection of Our Most Holy Queen, the God-Bearer and Ever-Virgin Mary
+ Lubomyr
Major Archbishop of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church
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