Cherkasy mayor accuses UOC of stealing Kazan Icon, previously stolen by OCU

Bondarenko in front of a reproduction of the Kazan Icon in the seized UOC cathedral. Photo: Bondarenko’s Facebook page

On February 20, 2025, the mayor of Cherkasy, Anatoliy Bondarenko, recorded a video from the Archangel Michael Cathedral of the UOC, which had been seized by OCU militants. While walking through the church, Bondarenko noticed that instead of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God, only its reproduction remained in the icon case. According to him, the original icon had been gifted to the late UOC Archbishop of Cherkasy, Sofroniy, by a high-ranking official. For some reason, Bondarenko assumed that the relic had been taken by UOC representatives and demanded that Metropolitan Theodosiy return it.

"I want you to understand that this icon must be returned in memory of His Eminence Vladyka Sofroniy," the mayor declared. "I appeal to Theodosiy Snihiriov and all the priests who were there at the time. I believe you know where this icon is. It does not belong to you. And you are obliged to return it to its place if you have even a little respect for the late Vladyka Sofroniy."

In response, the press service of the Cherkasy Eparchy published a video statement by Metropolitan Theodosiy dated October 17, 2024, which was recorded after the first raid by OCU militants on the cathedral. In the video, the hierarch speaks about the robbery and looting of the shrine by OCU bandits. Listing the injuries inflicted on parishioners, he also mentions the theft of the ancient Kazan Icon, the very same one Bondarenko referred to.

As the UOJ previously reported, Metropolitan Theodosiy spoke about the looting committed by the "clergy" of the OCU, led by "Metropolitan" Ioann Yaremenko. He reminded that the cathedral of the UOC seized by Yaremenko’s associates, as well as the complex of buildings of the eparchial administration with all their contents, is the private property of the UOC's eparchy as a legal entity with the appropriate title documents.

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