In Cherkasy, “bishop” and clergy of OCU wear vestments stolen from UOC

Ivan Yaremenko in vestments stolen from Metropolitan Theodosiy. Photo: Video screenshot from Dozor

After seizing the Ukrainian Orthodox Church’s cathedral in Cherkasy, the OCU appropriated numerous liturgical items – ranging from vestments and episcopal staffs to church vessels. The Telegram channel “Dozor” released a video comparing photos taken by the press services of the Cherkasy eparchies of both the UOC and the OCU.

“‘Metropolitan’ Ivan Yaremenko and OCU clergy wear their loot without any shame,” journalists commented.

“What is the difference between a hired OCU thug and his employer? Practically none. The only difference is that the latter also puts on a cassock,” the report added.

The video showed photos from the OCU and earlier photos from the UOC’s Cherkasy eparchy documenting the stolen sticharia of subdeacons, in particular from the personal episcopal sacristy of Metropolitan Theodosiy, which his subdeacons had used even in Kyiv.

Also visible in the photos are: the aer (veil), dikirion and trikirion candlesticks, a large eagle rug, Metropolitan Theodosiy’s personal staff, a silver chalice gifted to him by Kyiv parishioners at his episcopal consecration, a holy water basin from Jerusalem, episcopal mantles, a set of vessels, a Paschal triple-candle holder, a large cathedral chalice, and other vestments.

Dozor notes that this is only a fraction of the property they were able to identify.

According to journalists, the police refuse to investigate.

“All complaints and lawsuits filed by the eparchy are simply being attached to a single case of ‘hooliganism’ – the only investigation opened after the Cherkasy assault, which has remained stalled to this day,” the channel reports.

As the UOJ previously reported, the Cherkasy “hierarch” of the OCU once appeared in a seized church carrying a stolen episcopal staff. Yaremenko stole it along with other liturgical items during the takeover of the UOC’s Cathedral of St. Michael in November 2024.

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