Cherkasy mayor tells believers how to pray to be allowed into the church

Mayor of Cherkasy Anatoliy Bondarenko with parishioners of the seized St. Andrew’s Church (UOC). Photo: a video screenshot by the Cherkasy Eparchy

During a conversation on May 6, 2025, with parishioners of the seized St. Andrew’s Church of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC), Cherkasy Mayor Anatoliy Bondarenko stated that they could enter their church under certain conditions. In a video published on social media by the press service of the Cherkasy Diocese, Bondarenko instructs Orthodox Christians on how they should pray.

“You will be free to pray, but only...” he says, before listing the conditions. “I invite you to pray in the Ukrainian language. For a united Ukraine and our country. Not for Patriarch Kirill. You see, no one is being pushed out – everything is civilized.”

In response, the believers told him they worship only Christ, not the authorities.

Metropolitan Theodosiy of Cherkasy and Kaniv, commenting on these statements, emphasized:
“We have prayed as our grandfathers, fathers, and great-grandfathers did – we pray and will continue to pray in Church Slavonic.”

“There is no need to force us to pray the way you want. Finish seminary, become a clergyman, and then we can speak as equals. Until then, laymen in suits will not dictate to us, the clergy, in what language to pray,” the hierarch concluded.

As reported by the UOJ, Metropolitan Theodosiy addressed the police officers blocking parishioners from entering St. Andrew’s Church and reminded them of their rights and responsibilities.

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