The poor no longer receive meals after OCU seized cathedral in Cherkasy

Sisters of Mercy used to come to the cathedral every Sunday to prepare meals for several hundred destitute people. Photo: Cherkasy Eparchy

Yesterday, Sunday, October 20, for the first time in several years, no charitable meals were provided to the poor, needy, and displaced people at the Cherkasy Cathedral, according to the press service of the UOC's Cherkasy Eparchy.

It was reported that after the OCU forcibly seized the Archangel Michael Cathedral in Cherkasy on October 17, the hot meals for the poor and needy stopped.

"Our Sisters of Mercy would come to the cathedral every Sunday to prepare hearty homemade meals for several hundred destitute people," the statement read. "Yesterday, no one was distributing hot meals at the cathedral, no one was offering spiritual support or taking the time for these people. After all, they need so little – just some attention and a bit of warmth."

The diocese speculates, "They didn’t seize the cathedral to carry out an Orthodox mission or show Christian love."

"Their motives are clearly reflected in their actions. We all know what disappeared within the first few hours of the 'new believers' taking over. How much goodness and mercy have departed the cathedral grounds along with the genuine believers..." the press service added.

Previously, the UOJ wrote the articale "The Cherkasy Cathedral has been seized – what’s next?"

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