The new “rector” of the seized Cathedral of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Cherkasy is a PCU chaplain who took part in the raid

 

On October 17, 2024, after the aggressive raider seizure of the Archangel Michael Cathedral of the Cherkasy Diocese of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, representatives and supporters of the OCU held religious events in the church. During a rally held by the OCU in the church after the seizure, a new “rector” of the cathedral was appointed as the head of the Cherkasy diocese of the OCU. It was the OCU cleric who was directly involved in the seizure of the shrine — the OCU chaplain Vladimir Gladkovsky. This was reported on the official Facebook page of the Cherkasy Diocese of the OCU .

«At noon, Metropolitan John of Cherkasy and Chyhyryn (OCU — Ed.) entered St. Michael’s Garrison Church, and for the first time in the history of this beautiful church, a prayer in Ukrainian was heard under its majestic arches, and in the end, all those present sang Glory to Ukraine in unity of hearts. Metropolitan John held a thanksgiving prayer service in the church and announced the name of the current rector and dean of the garrison cathedral: it was the brigade chaplain Archpriest Volodymyr Hladkovsky,” the statement reads.

As reported, after an unsuccessful nighttime attempt to seize the cathedral on October 17, the OCU raiders, having increased their number, finally took possession of the Archangel Michael Cathedral of the Cherkasy Diocese of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church. 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.