Metropolitan Theodosiy held a meeting on the intensification of persecution against the UOC in Cherkasy

On May 10, 2025, an emergency meeting was held in the Cherkasy Diocese of the UOC, where Metropolitan Theodosiy and clergy discussed the situation arising from the intensified persecution of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church. According to reports, the meeting was convened to address the pastoral ministry in conditions where access to churches would be restricted. The press service of the Cherkasy Diocese of the UOC reported this.

Metropolitan of Cherkasy and Kaniv opened the meeting, noting that the situation for the Church in the region had worsened, and the persecution had reached new levels. While previously the authorities had shifted the responsibility for violent seizures onto “unknown persons,” on May 6, in the St. Andrew’s Church in Cherkasy, the situation changed: the mayor of the city, Anatoliy Bondarenko, personally, together with the police, expelled the believers from their shrine.

“It was the National Police that committed a crime in Cherkasy on May 6 this year. They took our St. Andrew’s Church, which legally belongs to us. And the mayor accompanied this act, not hiding his face. The sheep’s masks have been torn off, and the wolves have surrounded the flock,” said Metropolitan Theodosiy.

He emphasized that the authorities might continue down this path, so it is important to be prepared for ministry under these new and difficult conditions.

“We are Christ’s shepherds, and we bear the high responsibility of shepherding His flock. The Lord expects from us to protect His sheep from the wolves. And we, the shepherds, must forget about ourselves, put aside all worldly concerns, to save the flock,” stressed the Metropolitan.

According to him, it is essential to think about how to organize services for parishioners in conditions where churches may be seized. The bishop noted that it is necessary to ensure that thousands of Cherkasy residents can continue participating in services, confession, and communion, even if the churches are taken over.

“Our task is to find a way not to leave people without worship, confession, and communion, especially when people have seen what the schismatics represent,” concluded Metropolitan Theodosiy.

At the end of the meeting, the Metropolitan stated that decisions regarding further steps would be made in a closed session.

It is worth noting that Metropolitan Theodosiy of Cherkasy and Kaniv previously issued a strong statement against Cherkasy Mayor Anatoliy Bondarenko and his assistant Yuriy Trenkin in connection with the seizure of the UOC church dedicated to Apostle Andrew the First-Called.