Metropolitan Theodosiy reports on religious genocide in Ukraine at UN

Metropolitan Theodosiy. Photo: a video screenshot from the Cherkasy Eparchy

On March 25, 2026, Metropolitan Theodosiy of Cherkasy and Kaniv spoke in Geneva at the 61st session of the UN Human Rights Council at a meeting on agenda item 9 "Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia, and Related Forms of Intolerance." As reported by the press service of the Cherkasy Eparchy, the hierarch declared religious genocide against the Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Ukraine.

In his speech, the bishop emphasized that he was subjected to criminal prosecution for sermons and expressing theological positions. "I am a bishop of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church. Recently, a Ukrainian court issued a guilty verdict against me for expressing my theological views in a sermon and for disagreeing with the religious genocide in modern Ukraine," he stated.

Metropolitan Theodosiy claimed that such actions contradict international law. "According to international law, expressing theological views and demanding justice and respect for believers' rights cannot be criminally prosecuted," he noted, adding that believers' rights are "openly and unlawfully violated" in the country.

The hierarch also pointed to the existence of international reaction to the situation. He stressed that UN special rapporteurs had sent corresponding communications to the Ukrainian side, however "today’s Ukrainian authorities do not want to comply with UN requirements and are unwilling to abide by international law."

Metropolitan Theodosiy emphasized that despite criticism, the law banning the Ukrainian Orthodox Church continues to operate. He reported that several eparchies have lost their churches, the clergy are being subjected to mobilization, and a media campaign is being conducted against the UOC.

At the conclusion of his speech, the hierarch addressed the international community with a question about a possible response to what is happening: “Will the UN be able to respond effectively to these blatant human rights violations and stop the ongoing genocide in Ukraine?”

It is reported that the metropolitan's statement was supported by human rights organizations with consultative status at the UN Economic and Social Council For Human rights and the international association "Church against Xenophobia and Discrimination."

Furthermore, information about the situation and, in particular, about persecution in connection with interaction with the UN was sent to Deputy Secretary-General for Human Rights Ilze Brands Kehris. Materials on the case are planned to be considered within the framework of preparing the UN Secretary-General's report on countering reprisals against persons cooperating with the organization.

As the UOJ wrote, earlier Metropolitan Theodosiy said that the mobilization of priests is real genocide.

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