Footage shows empty seized cathedral in Cherkasy on Easter

Easter “service” of the OCU in the UOC cathedral seized in Cherkasy. Photo: Pershyi Kozatskyi

Easter “service” of the OCU in the UOC cathedral seized in Cherkasy. Photo: Pershyi Kozatskyi

The Easter “service” of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine (OCU) in the St. Michael’s Cathedral in Cherkasy – previously seized from the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC) – took place almost without a congregation. Screenshots from the livestream, published by the Pershyi Kozatskyi outlet, show that only about ten people were present inside the cathedral.

Easter
Easter Photo:

Easter service in the Cherkasy cathedral after it was seized by the OCU. Photo: Press Service of the Cherkasy Eparchy

For comparison, journalists presented photos from the UOC’s Easter service in 2024, held in the same cathedral prior to its seizure. Those images show hundreds of worshippers gathered for the celebration.

Easter service of the UOC in the Cherkasy Cathedral before the seizure by the OCU.
Easter service of the UOC in the Cherkasy Cathedral before the seizure by the OCU. Photo: Press Service of the Cherkasy Diocese

Earlier, the UOJ published a report from the seized churches of the UOC.

OCU eparchy sells church center site to developer for housing

The OCU’s Volyn Eparchy sold land intended for a spiritual center to a private developer planning to build townhouses and residential buildings.

SBU names UOC priest’s wife a suspect in Cherkasy region

The SBU accused Matushka Kateryna Prykotenko of “spreading enemy propaganda” through correspondence with parishioners.

UGCC cleric calls Russian Orthodox literature dangerous for clergy

While examining the causes of divisions within the UGCC, Yustyn Boiko concluded that Russian Orthodox literature had influenced Greek Catholic clergy.

UOC will play major role in achieving peace, says Vadym Novynskyi

UOC Protodeacon Vadym Novynskyi believes the Church will help bring about reconciliation within Ukrainian society after the war ends.

Catholic media outraged by forcible conscription of Uniate cleric

The Vatican’s Apostolic Nunciature has demanded the return of a forcibly mobilized Greek Catholic cleric.

Rivne court fines man for criticizing parish's "transfer" to OCU

A resident of the Rivne region was convicted over Facebook posts criticizing the “transfer” of a religious community in the village of Butove to the OCU.