Cherkasy mayor responds to his excommunication from Church

Anatoliy Bondarenko meeting Metropolitan Theodosiy after the latter was elevated to the rank of metropolitan. 21.08.21. Photo: cherkasy.church.ua

The mayor of Cherkasy, Anatoliy Bondarenko, commented on his excommunication from the Church by Metropolitan Theodosiy of Cherkasy and Kaniv in remarks to journalists from the local publication provce.

In his video address, the Metropolitan detailed the forceful seizure of the UOC cathedral and Bondarenko's role in this lawlessness. He also noted that the mayor had de facto excommunicated himself through his actions.

In his comments, Bondarenko denied calling for a "bloodbath" as the hierarch described his livestream before the second forceful assault on the Orthodox shrine. Additionally, the mayor expressed his belief that Metropolitan Theodosiy cannot excommunicate him.

"I would like to remind Metropolitan Theodosiy that he cannot excommunicate anyone. If someone is excommunicated from a Church where Patriarch Kirill blesses the killing of Ukrainians, then thank God. I haven’t attended that Church since the beginning of the full-scale invasion. This man is in despair," he asserted.

The mayor shared his feelings after the violence at the cathedral: "When I first entered the church after all of this, I felt very light and knew that I had done the right things."

Bondarenko also stated that he was elected mayor not due to prayers, and the continuation of his career does not depend on that.

As reported by the UOJ, the mayor of Cherkasy was elected head of the parish council of the seized UOC cathedral.

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