Usyk comments on his photo with invader of Cherkasy cathedral
Oleksandr Usyk after the victory. Photo: Champion
Archdeacon of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church Andriy Palchuk said on his Telegram channel that he had spoken with Ukrainian champion Oleksandr Usyk to clarify the circumstances of the photo that caused a wave of outrage among the UOC faithful.
“Yesterday, I called our champion Oleksandr Usyk late in the evening. Regarding the photograph, he said the following – that he had no idea who he was taking the photo with,” the archdeacon reported.
According to Palchuk, Usyk also wished “good health to the well-known hierarch” (apparently referring to Metropolitan Luke, who had criticized the athlete's political stance – Ed.).
As a reminder, earlier there has appeared a photo of Usyk with Volodymyr Pedko, known by the nickname 'Rіdnyi'. Pedko is one of the initiators and leaders of the seizure of the UOC cathedral in Cherkasy. The publication of the photo sparked a negative reaction among the believers of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church.
At the moment, Usyk himself has not publicly commented on the situation.
As the UOJ reported, Metropolitan Luke said of Usyk that he is a courageous boxer but a cowardly Christian.
Read also
U.S. House of Representatives passes ban on sex-change surgeries for minors
The lower house of Congress supported an initiative limiting medical interventions that could have irreversible consequences for the health of minors.
Armenian Church to appeal to international bodies over government pressure
The decision was made by the Supreme Spiritual Council in Etchmiadzin against the backdrop of criminal cases, pressure on the clergy, and the state's attempts to interfere in church life.
Pashinyan's supporters attempt to storm Etchmiadzin Cathedral in Armenia
The confrontation around the Armenian Apostolic Church intensified after rebellious hierarchs called for the Catholicos's resignation and attempted to exert forceful pressure in Etchmiadzin.
Persecuted community of Maliatyntsi celebrates first patronal feast after seizure
In Bukovyna, the faithful of the St. Nicholas community in the village of Maliatyntsi celebrated the Feast Day of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker of Myra in Lycia for the first time after the church seizure.
European authorities downplay scale of Christian persecution, report says
Human rights defenders reported an increase in attacks on believers in the EU and pointed out that official statistics do not reflect the real level of anti-Christian hostility.
Mukachevo Eparchy bishops congratulate orphaned children on St Nicholas Day
Metropolitan Theodore and Bishop Hilarion visited the “New Family” children’s shelter in Uzhhorod.