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.

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