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
The Antiochian Church Has Launched an Online Map of All Its Parishes Worldwide
The Antiochian Patriarchate has consolidated information about all its ecclesiastical structures into a single interactive project.
Man detained in Ireland for arson attack on mosque
The detainee will appear in court over the attack on a mosque in Dublin.
Monastic tonsure performed at the Ascension Monastery in Mlyniv
Two nuns of the women's monastery of the Rivne Diocese of the UOC have taken monastic vows.
France to Require Religious Clinics to Perform Euthanasia
The French Parliament has rejected a conscience clause amendment, which may compel religious clinics to participate in euthanasia.
An LGBT publication was found in the toy section of the ATB supermarket chain
LGBT books are being sold in the children's section of the Ukrainian supermarket ATB.
In Russia, an LGBT group killed a member for deciding to become straight
The victim announced his intention to leave the group and pursue a relationship with a girl – after which his accomplices lured him to a deserted place and stabbed him to death.