Seized UOC Cathedral in Cherkasy to be transferred to municipal ownership, says Mayor Bondarenko

The mayor of Cherkasy, Anatoly Bondarenko, said that the Archangel Michael Cathedral of the Cherkasy Diocese of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, seized by radicals, would be transferred to municipal ownership. Thus, the OCU will use the church on a lease basis. Bondarenko announced this on his Telegram channel.

“Regarding St. Michael’s Cathedral. The church will belong to the community of Cherkasy. Now I have instructed to start drawing up documents so that the cathedral and all the buildings there become communal property,” — Bondarenko wrote.

In addition, the mayor of Cherkasy said that he headed the parish council of the newly created Archangel Michael’s community of the OCU to lead the unfinished construction of the bell tower at the seized cathedral.

“As for the unfinished bell tower. I gave my consent to head the Parish Council because I understand that the Cherkasy community must decide what to do with this building, which Bishop Sofroniy began to build and which is 50% complete. And now I urge the residents of our city to come to the cathedral, pray for our Heroes, for our soldiers, because this is now a garrison church, and pray for Ukraine and our victory,” — added the mayor of Cherkasy.

As reported, on the night of October 17, 2024, in Cherkasy, supporters of the OCU, with the support of local authorities, made another attempt to seize the Archangel Michael Cathedral of the Cherkasy Diocese of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church. The armed raiders, taking advantage of the curfew, freely entered the church and diocesan premises at night, but with the onset of morning, Metropolitan Theodosius, the head of the Cherkasy diocese of the UOC, the clergy and parishioners of the cathedral gathered and defended the shrine, expelling the invaders.

After an unsuccessful nighttime attempt to seize the church, 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.