Pressure and attacks on the Ukrainian Orthodox Church continue: supporters of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine seized the St. Michael’s Cathedral in Cherkasy by force

Pressure on the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC) continues, as supporters of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine (OCU) have seized the St. Michael’s Cathedral in Cherkasy.

During the night, supporters of the OCU, many dressed in military uniforms, entered the cathedral. However, soon after, the building was reclaimed by parishioners of the UOC, led by Metropolitan Theodosiy. While retreating, one of the OCU supporters reportedly fired a non-lethal weapon and used tear gas. Despite the police being present, they did not intervene.

Volodymyr Petko, a representative of the National Corps, called on people to gather for a renewed assault on the cathedral. Supporters of the OCU then regrouped and entered the cathedral again, where they were met with resistance from UOC parishioners.

The mayor of Cherkasy, Anatoliy Bondarenko, urged residents to “come and pray” at the cathedral and to “express their opinion regarding the so-called Moscow church in our city.”

Currently, OCU supporters have re-entered the St. Michael’s Cathedral, and clashes, including the use of tear gas, have ensued.

Igor Taburets, the governor of the region, commented that law enforcement is investigating the situation.

However, he expressed support for the actions of the OCU supporters, stating, “Every religious community has the legal right to change its subordination in canonical and organizational matters… The course toward Ukraine’s spiritual independence remains unchanged.”