In Cherkasy, UOC believers celebrate feast day of seized cathedral

For the first time in 20 years, after the consecration of the Archangel Michael Cathedral in the Cherkasy Eparchy of the UOC, Orthodox believers in Cherkasy had to celebrate its feast day in other churches in the city, reports the eparchy’s press service.

On 21 November, the day of the celebration of the Synaxis of the Archangel Michael and the other Heavenly Hosts, Metropolitan Theodosiy of Cherkasy and Kaniv led the Divine Liturgy at the Three Saints Church in Cherkasy.

"This was the result of the ongoing systematic persecution of UOC believers, the culmination of which was the bloody seizure of the Cherkasy cathedral a month ago," the eparchy commented on the situation.

The hierarch was concelebrated by Bishop Antony of Korsun-Shevchenkivskyi, the clergy of the eparchy and guests in holy orders. The abbesses of the St Nicholas Lebedyn and Intercession Krasnohirsky convents also prayed during the liturgy.

During the service, a special prayer was offered for the Church, which is enduring persecution.

At the end of the liturgy, the clergy performed a moleben to the Archangel Michael, after which Metropolitan Theodosiy addressed the faithful.

The hierarch emphasized that despite celebrating the feast day of the cathedral in exile, the celebration was no less blessed and salvific for Orthodox Christians.

"After the service, a delicious lunch was offered to all the worshipers, during which the Orthodox Cherkasy residents were able to communicate and support each other, sharing their hope for a speedy return to the walls of their native cathedral with trust in the intercession of God and His faithful servant – Archangel Michael," the message reads.

As reported by the UOJ, the OCU is showing the Tomos with errors in the seized cathedral in Cherkasy.