Church bombed


Photos from Pastor Zschech's blog

In the early morning of October 14, a crude homemade bomb was thrown into the Calvary Chapel church building in Kaharlyk, Ukraine. The building is also the residence of Pastor Wayne Zschech and his family. At approximately 7:00 a.m., Pastor Zschech's wife awoke to the smell of smoke. Fire officials were called to the scene where they put out the blaze, which caused minor damage to the building. The six people asleep in the church at the time of the attack escaped without injury. The assailants spray painted "Out with Sects" and "OYH," an abbreviated name for a Ukrainian Nationalist movement, on the church wall.

Pastor Zschech later stated, "We pray that the Lord would call people to salvation and that He would build up His body. We rejoice in being chosen worthy to suffer for the sake of our Lord and His Gospel. We do also pray for safety but hold this prayer out with open hands."

Thank God that no one was hurt in this attack. Pray that the perpetrators of this attack will be brought to justice and come to faith in Christ.

Ukraine News

  • Verdict Expected for Priest Charged with Espionage
    An Orthodox Church of Ukraine monastery is surrounded by trees with a city in the background.
    An "Orthodox Church of Ukraine" monastery.
    Photo: Wikipedia / Rbrechko (cc)

    When Father Kostiantyn Maksimov was taken captive by Russian occupation forces in May 2023, little was known about the whereabouts of the Ukrainian Orthodox priest. In late March 2024, the Russian prosecutor for the Zaporizhzhia Region announced that Father Kostiantyn would be facing espionage charges. (For more details, see this report.)

  • Russian Forces Charge Another Church Leader
    An Orthodox Church of Ukraine monastery is surrounded by trees with a city in the background.
    An "Orthodox Church of Ukraine" monastery.
    Photo: Wikipedia / Rbrechko (cc)

    In May 2023, Father Kostiantyn Maksimov, a priest from the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, was taken by Russian occupation forces. Several other religious leaders have either been killed, tortured or reported missing after being detained by members of the Russian forces.

  • Priest Fatally Tortured; Others Facing Deportation
    A large monastery with gold domesis set in a wooded area.
    An "Orthodox Church of Ukraine" monestary.
    Photo: Wikipedia / Rbrechko (cc)

    Members of the Russian occupation forces seized Father Stepan Podolchak on February 13th. The Christian leader had been serving as the abbot of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine in Kalanchak, a village located within the Russian-occupied Kherson Region. Taking him away with a bag over his head, the soldiers insisted that he go with them for questioning. Two days later, Father Stepan's battered body was found on the village street. Some reports state that he had also suffered a bullet wound to the head. 

  • Mysterious Disappearance of Imprisoned Church Leaders
    A church is behind an iron gate.
    A church in Melitopol
    Photo: Wikipedia / Олег Довгаль (cc)

    A recently published Persecution & Prayer Alert report had requested prayer for various churches that were forcibly closed in Russian-occupied regions of Ukraine. (To review the previously posted report, go to this page.) Further reports have since been released informing that other churches have faced similar trials.