Court dismisses Metropolitan Luke’s lawsuit against Cherkasy mayor

Photo: Prydniprovsky District Court of Cherkasy / monitor-info

The Prydniprovsky District Court of Cherkasy has dismissed the lawsuit filed by Metropolitan Luke of Zaporizhzhia and Melitopol against the Mayor of Cherkasy, Anatoliy Bondarenko, and the local TV channel "VIKKA," concerning the protection of his rights, honor, and dignity, according to dzvin.media.

The hierarch of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church had demanded a retraction of false information aired on "VIKKA" during the program "Relevant Conversation" in December 2024. In that broadcast, Mayor Bondarenko claimed that the Metropolitan of Zaporizhzhia was "working for the enemy."

Metropolitan Luke had also sought symbolic moral compensation of one hryvnia from each defendant.

The court's decision has not yet entered into legal force and may be challenged in an appellate court.

As previously reported by the UOJ, the mayor of Cherkasy and the editorial staff of the TV channel deny any wrongdoing.

Read also

The oldest church in Kyiv celebrated its patronal feast

Metropolitan Viktor led the festive service at the Elijah Church in the capital.

His Beatitude led the celebrations for the 510th anniversary of the Lavra skete in Horodok

In the Rivne Diocese, the Primate of the UOC consecrated an image of the Mother of God restored by the sisters.

Religious Jews attack Armenian monastery in Jerusalem

Police detained six suspects following an attack on St. James Monastery in the Old City.

OCU cleric personally cuts locks during seizure of UOC church in Cherniavka

An OCU cleric dismissed the parish rector's request for copies of meeting records, calling him an "enemy of the people."

Oldest UOC church in Sumy marks its patronal feast

Metropolitan Yevlohiy led celebrations at the city’s oldest parish, where the wonderworking Pustynno-Hlynska Icon of the Mother of God was brought for the feast.

Hundreds of faithful in Bulgaria welcome Hawaiian Icon of the Mother of God

Patriarch Daniel led the ceremonial welcome for the myrrh-streaming icon in Sofia and thanked the ROCOR Synod for arranging its visit.