Cherkasy bishop delegates powers to his vicar in case of arrest
Metropolitan Theodosy and Metropolitan Anthony. Photo: a screenshot of the YouTube channel “Cherkaskyi Blagovisnyk” ("Cherkasy Evangelist").
Metropolitan Theodosy of Cherkasy and Kaniv has delegated his powers to the vicar of the Cherkasy Eparchy, Bishop Anthony of Korsun-Shevchenkivskyi, in case of his arrest.
He said this during a sermon on 7 April 2023, which was published on the official YouTube channel “Cherkaskyi Blagovisnyk” (“Cherkasy Evangelist”).
"I have been charged with another criminal offence, On Monday I will be questioned by the SBU in the city of Cherkasy, and after the questioning, maybe one of the Cherkasy courts will decide on a measure of restraint against me as a criminal," Metropolitan Theodosy said.
"If they put me under overnight house arrest, it will mean that they want to decapitate our Cherkasy Eparchy and flock for the Easter holiday. If house arrest is imposed around the clock, it means that there is a command from Kyiv to completely decapitate the eparchy so that I cannot serve and lead it," the UOC hierarch added.
The head of the Cherkasy Eparchy noted that even while under house arrest he would continue to lead the eparchy, giving instructions to his assistants by telephone, but in the event of imprisonment, he delegated his authority to the vicar of the Cherkasy Eparchy, Bishop Anthony of Korsun-Shevchenkivskyi until the UOC leadership appointed his successor.
Metropolitan Theodosy called the charges brought against him by the SBU ridiculous and expressed hope that common sense would prevail in the Ukrainian leadership and it would refuse to fight against the UOC and its hierarchs.
Read also
EP reported severe beating of UOC priests by militants in Chernivtsi
Louis Lazarus emphasized that the persecution of believers in Chernivtsi infringes on the interests of the Romanian minority in Ukraine.
New footage showing OCU militants beating Chernivtsi priests published
A group of militants assaulted three clergymen of the UOC near the fence of the Holy Spirit Cathedral.
Republican youth leader: UOC persecution weakens Ukraine in wartime
Catherine Whiteford emphasized that UOC persecution by the authorities is clearly destroying the country from within and weakening it in wartime.
OCU: The cathedral clash was about Ukraine's rights in fighting Russia
Bodoriak claimed that the militants who beat UOC priests in the Chernivtsi cathedral are not parishioners of the OCU.
Chernivtsi OCU “bishop”: Russian Church barred us from entering cathedral
Bodoriak asserted that the Holy Spirit Cathedral of the UOC in Chernivtsi belongs to the OCU.
Patriarch Bartholomew: I look forward to welcoming Pope Leo to the Phanar
The Ecumenical Patriarch expressed hope that under the new Pope, relations with the Catholic Church would continue to grow in truth and love.