UOJ followers show how church raiders seized the cathedral in Cherkasy

Metropolitan Theodosiy with UOC believers. Photo: Screenshot from a video by the Cherkasy Eparchy

On October 17 in Cherkasy, unidentified individuals in camouflage uniforms seized the Archangel Michael Cathedral of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC) on their second attempt. UOJ followers who were present during the seizure managed to record the actions of the church raiders and shared videos of the assault on the UOC parishioners, who were trying to protect their shrine from being taken over. The defenders claim that young men, armed with sticks, bats, tear gas canisters, and even a pistol, acted with extreme brutality, continuing their aggression even after the cathedral had already been seized.

“When we were leaving the cathedral, with the blessing of the Metropolitan, carrying banners, they chased after us and beat us. They met us at the gates of the diocese and beat us again. Despite the fact that we were leaving, that they had achieved their goal, they continued to attack us during our retreat. It was like facing the devil in human form,” said one of the cathedral’s defenders.

After the confrontation at the cathedral, the Cherkasy Eparchy reported that more than 10 UOC parishioners were hospitalized with injuries of varying severity, while several dozen others were receiving outpatient treatment. The diocese urged people not to trust disinformation in the media, which claimed that no believers were harmed and that the parishioners themselves attempted to seize the cathedral.

Metropolitan Theodosiy of Cherkasy and Kaniv was diagnosed with a concussion, first-degree corneal burns in both eyes, and skin burns. He has been prescribed treatment and strict bed rest.

As reported by the UOJ, C14 leader Karas thanked his followers for the seizure of the UOC cathedral in Cherkasy.

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