Metropolitan Theodosiy: We must defend our churches and show that we exist

Metropolitan Theodosiy. Photo: Screenshot from Cherkasy Eparchy video

On April 2, 2025, Metropolitan Theodosiy (Snihiriov) addressed the faithful of Cherkasy in response to the ongoing threat of new church seizures in the city, according to the press service of the Cherkasy Eparchy.

The bishop explained that, departing from his usual practice, he gave an interview to Suspilne to explain the situation surrounding the unlawful claims of the OCU to the UOC churches of the Apostle Andrew the First-Called and the Nativity of Christ in Cherkasy.

Metropolitan Theodosiy underscored that no local community – religious or otherwise – has any legal ownership rights to these churches. Any attempt to seize them, he said, is "banditry", and the police are obliged to prevent such raider takeovers.

Referring to the seizure of the Archangel Michael Cathedral, which belongs to the diocesan administration, the hierarch warned against complacency, stating that "for these people, the law means nothing."

"Unfortunately, the current Ukrainian authorities are enabling this lawlessness. And for now, hoping that the law, the Constitution, and the right to freedom of conscience and property will prevail is futile," he said, adding: "But the time will surely come when the country returns to the rule of law. And all those who persecute us now – the instigators, the executors, and the organizers – will be held accountable."

According to him, "today is their time."

"There’s no defense against brute force. But we must defend our churches, show that we exist in this country. We are not 'Moscow lice,' as one city council deputy called us (in a civilized country, that deputy would be in jail, while here, it’s our hierarchs and priests being imprisoned – like Metropolitan Arseniy). We are not 'vermin' or second-class people – we are citizens of Ukraine with equal rights," the Cherkasy ruling bishop concluded.

As the UOJ previously reported, a Cherkasy official recently called UOC believers “Ruscist filth and Moscow vermin,” and encouraged the seizure of their churches.

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