Chernivtsi hierarch to cathedral defenders: A deep bow and blessing to you

Faithful of the UOC at the Cathedral in Chernivtsi. Photo: Synodal Information and Education Department of the UOC

On June 17, 2025, Metropolitan Meletiy of Chernivtsi and Bukovyna addressed the faithful of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC) with heartfelt gratitude after they defended the Holy Spirit Cathedral in Chernivtsi from an attempted takeover by OCU militants.

In the evening, after hours of confrontation, the parishioners of the cathedral were finally able to re-enter their church. However, so many people had gathered that not everyone could fit inside. The Metropolitan, who had himself been injured during the assault, came out to those remaining on the church grounds and offered his sincere thanks for their courage and fidelity.

“A deep bow to you, heartfelt thanks to each of you, and God’s blessing – for not remaining indifferent to the lawlessness that was attempted here. May the Lord bless everyone who labored today, who rose to defend the Orthodox Church and the faith,” the Metropolitan said.

Earlier, during the seizure, Metropolitan Meletiy suffered injuries – tear gas was sprayed in his eyes, causing him to lose orientation and rendering him unable to walk on his own. Faithful assisted him to sit and provided first aid.

As previously reported, the seizure attempt occurred earlier that same day. Around 50 radicals associated with the OCU stormed the cathedral grounds, deployed tear gas, beat priests, and took control of the inner courtyard. According to eyewitnesses, police aided the attack by blocking UOC faithful from accessing the church and using force against peaceful parishioners.

Several UOC clergy were injured, including Metropolitan Meletiy. One priest sustained a broken nose, a concussion, and lacerations to the head. Another suffered fractured ribs and suspected internal injuries. Both were hospitalized.

Within an hour, more than 5,000 faithful came to defend the cathedral. They broke through police cordons, expelled the attackers, and regained control of the sacred site. Later, to prevent further violence, they allowed police to escort the radicals off the premises. The assailants were loaded into police vans and removed from the site to chants of “Shame!”

Earlier, the UOJ reported that UOC faithful in Chernivtsi had driven the raiders out of the cathedral.

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