Provocateurs outside Cherkasy court breaks a female icon painter’s hand

On 6 June 2024, "activists" staged a provocation outside the Cherkasy courthouse. Photo: the Cherkasy Eparchy

On 6 June 2024, in Cherkasy, a group of radical "activists" staged yet another provocation outside the Sosnovsky Court building, where a hearing was taking place regarding the accusation of Metropolitan Theodosiy of Cherkasy and Kaniv for "insulting the feelings of believers". During the provocation, the activists pushed one of the cathedral's parishioners from behind, causing her to fall and break her arm, reports the Cherkasy Eparchy.

In addition to offensive posters and slogans, the "activists" wore clothing with blasphemous images and inscriptions. They attempted to provoke the believers who had come to support the Metropolitan, insulting them, hitting them with posters and pushing them.

According to the eparchy’s press office, law enforcement officers did not intervene or protect the believers from the hooligans. As a result, one of the cathedral's parishioners, icon painter Nadezhda Cherniavska, had her arm broken by the aggressive radicals.

"In a fit of rage and hatred towards the Orthodox believers gathered outside the court, the provocateurs once again pushed one of the cathedral's parishioners from behind, causing her to fall and break her arm with a bone displacement," the statement said.

The diocesan press service noted that the UOC parishioner was one of the architects of the Archangel Michael Cathedral in Cherkasy.

"For decades, she created sketches of churches, many of which now adorn the Cherkasy region. As a senior teacher at the eparchial icon painting school, she has taught the art of icon painting to dozens of students over the years. Hundreds of icons in Nadezhda's lifetime were painted with the very hand that the 'activists' crippled today," the UOC eparchy added.

The victim's injuries were documented at a medical facility, and she filed a report with the police. However, the Cherkasy Eparchy believes there is little chance for a fair investigation.

"Today, it is possible to beat, humiliate, and even judge only UOC believers in the courts," concluded the Cherkasy Eparchy.

As reported by the UOJ, radicals once again tried to provoke Metropolitan Theodosiy outside the Cherkasy Court.

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