Former cleric of UOC suing Bishop Theodosiy over words "Judas-traitor"
Joseph Zasansky (center) with Dumenko and Yaremenko. Photo: OCU's Facebook
On June 11, 2025, a regular session was held at the Sosnovsky District Court of the Cherkasy region regarding the case against Metropolitan Theodosiy of Cherkasy and Kaniv. According to the local publication 18000, the plaintiff is a former cleric of the UOC, Joseph Zasansky.
Zasansky joined the OCU in November last year and filed a lawsuit against Metropolitan Theodosiy. The basis for his accusations were the bishop's “critical remarks” directed at the cleric.
The OCU cleric claims that the archbishop called him a "Judas-traitor" after his transition to the Dumenko structure. He is also disputing the ecclesiastical status of the Nativity of the Most Holy Theotokos Church in Cherkasy, where he is currently serving.
The Cherkasy Regional Prosecutor’s Office stated that Metropolitan Theodosiy is being prosecuted for statements that “incite enmity and insult citizens based on their religious beliefs” – under Part 1, Article 161 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine.
Earlier, the UOJ reported that on March 18, 2025, the Sosnivsky District Court of Cherkasy changed the pre-trial measure for the archbishop from house arrest to personal obligation.
The court proceedings against Metropolitan Theodosiy (Snigirev) of Cherkasy and Kaniv have been ongoing for two years. During this time, he has been issued five suspicions, two of which were combined into a single case. The first suspicion was announced by the SBU on February 20, 2023.
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.