Cherkasy bishop to mayor: Why do you need our churches if they stand empty?
Metropolitan Theodosiy, Mayor of Cherkasy Anatoliy Bondarenko, and UOC believers. Photo: Screenshot from the Cherkasy Eparchy video
On May 6, 2025, Metropolitan Theodosiy of Cherkasy and Kaniv, addressing the Mayor of Cherkasy Anatoliy Bondarenko during a conversation with parishioners of the UOC's St. Andrew's Church, asked why the last remaining churches of the faithful are being taken away when those previously seized remain empty.
Mayor Bondarenko attempted to explain to the Orthodox Christians that they were being evicted from their sanctuaries legally and went on to tell them that they were praying incorrectly.
Metropolitan Theodosiy, commenting on these words, reminded him that the previously seized cathedral now stands empty.
"You have got all the churches in the OCU's ownership now. Why are you taking away the last of our shrines? The cathedral stands empty!" the UOC hierarch said.
In response, the mayor only suggested that they should appeal to law enforcement agencies, claiming that "everyone is acting according to the law."
As previously reported by the UOJ, the mayor of Cherkasy told the faithful how they should pray if they wanted to be allowed back into the church.
Read also
U.S. House of Representatives passes ban on sex-change surgeries for minors
The lower house of Congress supported an initiative limiting medical interventions that could have irreversible consequences for the health of minors.
Armenian Church to appeal to international bodies over government pressure
The decision was made by the Supreme Spiritual Council in Etchmiadzin against the backdrop of criminal cases, pressure on the clergy, and the state's attempts to interfere in church life.
Pashinyan's supporters attempt to storm Etchmiadzin Cathedral in Armenia
The confrontation around the Armenian Apostolic Church intensified after rebellious hierarchs called for the Catholicos's resignation and attempted to exert forceful pressure in Etchmiadzin.
Persecuted community of Maliatyntsi celebrates first patronal feast after seizure
In Bukovyna, the faithful of the St. Nicholas community in the village of Maliatyntsi celebrated the Feast Day of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker of Myra in Lycia for the first time after the church seizure.
European authorities downplay scale of Christian persecution, report says
Human rights defenders reported an increase in attacks on believers in the EU and pointed out that official statistics do not reflect the real level of anti-Christian hostility.
Mukachevo Eparchy bishops congratulate orphaned children on St Nicholas Day
Metropolitan Theodore and Bishop Hilarion visited the “New Family” children’s shelter in Uzhhorod.