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
Phanar head could stop church raids with a single word, says UOC hierarch
Metropolitan Theodosiy said the Ecumenical Patriarch must have understood what consequences the creation of the OCU could bring.
OCU and Phanar sponsor known as “Narik” attends opening of Phanarion center
A Dnipro crime figure was spotted in a photo from the opening of the Phanarion Orthodox Dialogue Center in Hungary.
UOC Dnipropetrovsk Eparchy marks 450th anniversary of Samar Monastery
Metropolitan Iriney led the anniversary Divine Liturgy at St. Nicholas Monastery in the city of Samar.
Dumenko and officials hold religious event at seized Cherkasy cathedral
At the Archangel Michael Cathedral, which was taken from UOC believers, the OCU head held a “service” attended by regional and city officials.
Shevchuk thanks mufti for promoting Catholic-Muslim dialogue
The head of the UGCC discussed the importance of interfaith unity with the Grand Mufti of Ukraine.
Roundtable at St. Sophia of Kyiv to discuss double-headed eagle on iconostasis
The St. Sophia of Kyiv Reserve has announced an academic discussion on the meaning of the double-headed eagle depicted on its Royal Doors.