Cherkasy archbishop addresses detained Metropolitan Arseniy

Metropolitan Arseniy. Photo: Sviatohirsk Lavra

On May 21, 2025, on the feast day of St. Arsenius the Great, Metropolitan Theodosiy (Snihirev) conveyed greetings from the priests and believers of the Cherkasy Eparchy of the UOC to Metropolitan Arseniy of Sviatohirsk. In his sermon after the service, the bishop addressed the abbot of the Sviatohirsk Lavra, who has been kept in a pre-trial detention center for over a year.

"Dear bishop, if you can hear us, accept greetings from the entire fullness of the Cherkasy Eparchy, from the people of God, especially from the clergy, from the monastics. You are an example for us, we love you, we pray for you, and we understand that you bear the burden for all of us to some extent," said Metropolitan Theodosiy.

According to him, "here we are only being intimidated, while you are truly being tormented." Believers are being deprived of churches, while the Sviatohirsk hierarch has been stripped of freedom and health.

"We know that if the Lord has allowed you to bear this burden for all of us, it is also because your love for your brethren and for all Orthodox people has been such that the enemy of mankind could not bear it. Accept our greetings and our prayers for you today," concluded the Cherkasy hierarch.

As reported by the UOJ, another court session took place in Sloviansk regarding the case of Metropolitan Arseniy.

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