The court upheld the verdict of the head of Cherkasy diocese of the UOC for "inciting interreligious hatred"

The Cherkasy Region Court of Appeal has upheld the verdict of Metropolitan Feodosiy (Snigiryov), the administrator of the Cherkasy diocese of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC), for “inciting religious discord and hatred”. According to the investigation materials, the bishop was found guilty of “committing actions aimed at undermining inter-confessional peace in the region.”

According to 18000.com.ua, it was proved in court that in January 2024 Metropolitan Theodosius recorded a video message “which contained calls for religious hostility and intolerance towards representatives of other religious organizations”. This video was posted on the Internet for an unlimited number of people. In February 2026, the court found him guilty and imposed a fine of 500 tax-free minimum incomes of citizens (UAH 8,500). The appeal instance confirmed the legality of this decision.

We will remind, earlier we reported that the Sosnovsky district court of Cherkassy decided to extend the measure of restraint to the manager of Cherkassy diocese of the UOC Metropolitan Feodosiy (Snigirev), who is a defendant in several criminal cases. According to the court ruling on April 13, the bishop will remain under personal commitment for another two months.