It becomes known which OCU cleric led the seizure of Cherkasy cathedral

OCU chaplains, led by Nazariy Zasansky (right), report on the seizure of the UOC cathedral. Night of October 17. Photo: video screenshot

The Cherkasy Eparchy's Telegram channel reported that they recognized one of the attackers who oversaw the raid of the UOC cathedral in Cherkasy. It turned out to be OCU chaplain Nazariy Zasansky.

This same "priest" is listed as the victim in the case against Metropolitan Theodosiy and also led the forceful seizure of the Nativity of the Mother of God Monastery in Cherkasy. This was revealed by the UOC hierarch during one of the court sessions.

On May 7, the Metropolitan of Cherkasy testified in court that, in his view, the Zasanskys (father and son) were primarily driven by self-interest. After the violent takeover of the Nativity of the Mother of God Monastery in November 2023 with the help of his son, Zasansky Sr. effectively became its "head and owner."

The bishop stated that Zasansky Sr. was barred from ministry in November 2023. In January 2024, Zasansky Jr. approached the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU), accusing the Metropolitan of spreading "false information" about the raid on the monastery.

Metropolitan Theodosiy believes that these cases are fabricated with the aim of removing him from leading the Cherkasy Diocese of the UOC and taking over the diocese’s churches. The UOC hierarch also noted that the same witnesses and experts appear in his cases, saying, "It feels like they work for the SBU in the Cherkasy region or owe something to it."

Zasansky reports on the seizure of the Orthodox shrine:

As previously reported by UOJ, Metropolitan Theodosiy emphasized the need to defend the cathedral from bandits who do not even know how to pray.

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