Cherkasy hierarch banned from travel to Geneva to participate in UN session

Metropolitan Theodosiy. Photo: UOC Cherkasy Eparchy's Facebook

On October 3, 2025, a session was held at the Sosnivsky District Court of Cherkasy regarding the case of Metropolitan Theodosiy of Cherkasy and Kaniv, where a petition for permission to travel abroad to participate in the UN Human Rights Council session in Geneva was considered.

The metropolitan's lawyer, Volodymyr Yudin, said during the session that Metropolitan Theodosiy was invited and accredited to participate in the UN Human Rights Council session, which will last until October 8, 2025. Meetings with UN parliamentarians are also planned, which may take place during this period and in the first 10 days after the session concludes.

The hierarch himself, who joined the session via video link, stated that he planned to speak about the persecution of the UOC and the seizure of the UOC's St. Michael's Cathedral in Cherkasy.

"I did not reach out to anyone. I was invited. It is enough to visit the UN website to see me on the list of accredited participants. The council session will be held until October 8 inclusive. Today, my speech is scheduled in a video conference format, you can watch this speech. You can visit the website and see me on the lists," said Metropolitan Theodosiy.

Judge Oleksandra Humeniuk noted that the preventive measure chosen for the defendant is not, in itself, a reason for denying travel abroad. However, he may be denied crossing the border for other reasons. "In particular, because men of conscription age are currently prohibited from traveling abroad," said the judge.

After the deliberation room, the judge announced that the application for travel and the defender's petition were denied. The next session is scheduled for October 9. The petition by defender Yudin to cancel the obligation to continue keeping the metropolitan’s documents at the migration service was not considered at the hearing. Thus, he does not have any documents in hand for traveling abroad.

Earlier, the UOJ wrote that the lawyers of Metropolitan Theodosiy petitioned the courts to allow travel to the UN session.

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