"The course of spiritual independence of Ukraine is unchanged": Cherkasy Regional State Administration comments on seizure of UOC Cathedral

The head of the Cherkasy Regional State Administration, Ihor Taburets, commented on the seizure of the Archangel Michael Cathedral of the Cherkasy Diocese of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church by supporters of the OCU. The head of the regional state administration said that every religious organization has the right to change its canonical affiliation, adding that the “course for spiritual independence” approved by Vladimir Zelensky remains unchanged. He wrote about this in his Telegram channel.

“Law enforcement officers are working at the scene. I expect them to properly assess and respond. At the same time, I urge those present to keep a cool mind, not to resort to provocations and the like!!! Every religious community has the legal right to change its subordination in canonical and organizational matters. As of today, 94 religious communities in the Cherkasy region have already exercised this right, changing their subordination from the Moscow Patriarchate to the Orthodox Church of Ukraine. The course for the spiritual independence of Ukraine is unchanged,” — Taburets wrote.

As reported, after an unsuccessful nighttime attempt to seize the Cathedral of St. Michael the Archangel of Cherkasy Diocese of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, the OCU raiders, having increased their number, finally took possession of the Archangel Michael Cathedral. During the next clash, the clergy and parishioners of the church were expelled from the premises. Many clergymen and believers of the UOC suffered injuries of varying severity and chemical burns from the raiders’ use of tear gas.