Metropolitan Theodosy to Mayor of Cherkasy: "You Are Breaking the Law and Will Be Held Accountable"

Metropolitan Theodosy of Cherkasy and Kaniv has issued a strong statement addressed to the Mayor of Cherkasy, Anatoliy Bondarenko, and his assistant Yuriy Trenkin, in connection with the recent seizure of a Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC) temple dedicated to the Apostle Andrew the First-Called. The bishop’s message was published on the Telegram channel «Cherkasy Pilgrim.»

«This is the property of a legal entity — the Cherkasy Eparchy. It is not the property of any community, city, or fictitious religious organization,» the hierarch emphasized, stating that the actions of local authorities are a direct violation of current Ukrainian law and the Constitution.

The metropolitan also directly addressed the officials: «Do you really not know the law, holding such high positions? You know you’re breaking it. And if the rule of law ever returns to our country, you will go to prison.»

He urged that all property disputes be resolved exclusively through legal proceedings, not through force or raider-style takeovers.

As a reminder, on May 6, 2025, another UOC church in Cherkasy was seized. This time, the target was the church in honor of Saint Andrew the First-Called.