Metropolitan Theodosius: The accusers believe that the destruction of the UOC should take place silently, the Church should be silent and fall apart

On October 6, 2023, Metropolitan Theodosius of Cherkasy and Kanev recorded an emergency address to the flock, in which he stated that the purpose of the new criminal case opened against him was to take him into custody.

“The fact that this criminal case was opened became known in the most unexpected way. At 7 a.m. yesterday a group of officers of the Security Service of Ukraine broke into my house with another search. They searched thoroughly, although they had been in my house recently and probably know where every thing is. They found nothing that time, so they decided to search again. They searched again and found nothing. They took the rest of the phone and computer, what they did not take away last time, and left”, – said the Metropolitan.

He noted that “in the new criminal case, suspicion in which I was handed immediately, it was prepared in advance, all the victims and witnesses are again clerics of the OCU. Now not only Cherkassy clerics, but also Kyiv clerics”.

According to the bishop, the basis for the charges were his video messages to the faithful.

“What are the charges? They impute criticism of the Security Service of Ukraine, they impute criticism of local authorities, they impute the fact that you and I have talked and revealed the mechanisms of raiding Orthodox churches in Ukraine, we have talked about how the Security Service is putting pressure on the clergy, trying to sell the illegal autocephaly, thereby finally fragmenting our Church. They impute criticism of civil activists. In general, according to the press release of the Security Service, it seems that criticism in our country, any criticism at all, is prohibited by law, falls under the Criminal Code. Moreover, the destruction of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church should take place silently. It should just be silent. Silence and fall apart. Ideally, this scenario is suitable for them”, – the hierarch said.

Metropolitan Theodosius said that the Kiev-Svyatoshynsky district court will choose a new preventive measure for him on Monday, October 9, the day of commemoration of the Holy Apostle and Evangelist John the Theologian. Most likely, it will be detention in custody.

“All our parishioners, fathers I ask to pray this day strictly, especially after 11:00 am, when there will be a court hearing, so that this issue is resolved according to the will of God. Of course, there are no grounds for detention, moreover – it is illegal, because 161 article of the Criminal Code of Ukraine, the first part, which is imputed, it does not imply a measure of restraint “detention”. But, you understand, anything can happen. I strictly ask for your prayers”, – said the head of Cherkasy diocese.