Demydivka authorities ban UOC religious procession

Religious procession. Photo: open sources

The executive committee of the Demydivka Settlement Council in Ukraine's Rivne Region has banned a religious procession of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church. Officials justified the decision by citing the ongoing state of martial law and the threat of missile attacks.

On July 30, 2026, the local authorities adopted Resolution No. 2112, prohibiting mass gatherings and public events organized by UOC faithful within the territorial community. The document states that the restriction was introduced to prevent "religiously motivated confrontations within society."

The executive committee acted on the basis of a letter from the Dubno District State Administration and recommendations issued by the Rivne Regional Defense Council.

Responsibility for enforcing the decision was assigned to the Dubno District Police Department, which was instructed to ensure a "timely response" to prevent potential conflicts. The resolution was officially sent to the Rivne Eparchy of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church.

Local officials also pointed to the need to maintain public safety amid the possibility of provocations.

Earlier, the UOJ reported that Ukraine's state media had called for pilgrims traveling to the Pochaiv Lavra to be screened.

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