Metropolitan Theodosiy's preventive measure extended for another two months

Metropolitan Theodosiy in court. Photo: Cherkasy Eparchy

On February 25, 2026, the Sosnivskyi District Court of Cherkasy extended the preventive measure in the form of personal obligations for Metropolitan Theodosiy of Cherkasy and Kaniv during the hearing of the criminal case initiated against the bishop, reports the press service of the Cherkasy Eparchy.

The Security Service of Ukraine initiated an investigation in 2023, citing pre-war television interviews of the hierarch in which he defended the rights of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church.

During the hearing, the prosecutor sought to extend the preventive measure in the form of personal obligations, including the obligation to appear when summoned by the court, notify of address changes, and not communicate with witnesses. According to the state prosecutor, lifting the restrictions would give the metropolitan the opportunity to "influence religious communities and incite discord".

The defense of Metropolitan Theodosiy stated that the prosecution had not presented a single new piece of evidence to justify extending the restrictions, and that the arguments of the prosecution were based on politically colored assessments.

"No facts of 'inciting hatred' were proven, and the court cases against the hierarch clearly have an artificial and commissioned character. The lawyer also added that prosecutors are 'trying to pressure Metropolitan Theodosiy and even humiliate him,'" the statement reads.

Despite this, the court extended the personal obligations until April 25, 2026.

According to the eparchial press service, the "expert" A. P. Stromylo, whose "expert reports" are used against the bishop to prove the the alleged "criminality" of the hierarch's intentions and actions, once again failed to appear at the court hearing.

“It should be noted that A. P. Stromilo’s ‘expert reports’ do not withstand any criticism from the defense in court, and moreover, their texts at times defy common sense. In the Prydniprovskyi District Court of Cherkasy, for example, her latest ‘expert report’ against Metropolitan Theodosiy was rejected on the grounds that it could not be considered evidence in the case,” the eparchy explained.

It is noted that after this, the Cherkasy courts cannot find her or establish contact with her. She resigned from the Cherkasy branch of the Kyiv Scientific Research Institute of Forensic Expertise of the Ministry of Justice. She does not respond to summons.

As the UOJ wrote, a OCU cleric valued his “moral injury” at 100,000 hryvnias in a suit against the UOC bishop.

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