Met. Theodosiy: Miserable part of clergy went to OCU in Cherkasy region
The head of the Cherkasy Eparchy noted the faithfulness of priests and the strengthening of UOC communities under pressure.
In the Cherkasy Eparchy of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, only an insignificant number of clergy have transferred to the OCU, while the main part of the clergy and faithful have remained loyal to the canonical Church, said Metropolitan Theodosiy of Cherkasy and Kaniv in an interview with the UOJ, dedicated to the life of the Church under conditions of continuing trials.
According to the hierarch, the scale of clergy transfers in the region turned out to be minimal. “In the Cherkasy region, a tiny fraction of the clergy left. Not even one in twelve left – far fewer,” he emphasized, adding that a similar trend likely applies to the entire UOC.
The bishop noted that despite pressure and difficult circumstances, church life in the region has not weakened, but, on the contrary, has strengthened. "We don't have fewer people in our churches, on the contrary, in some places there are even more," said the metropolitan, pointing to the influx of displaced persons from eastern and southern regions who are actively joining parish life.
He also drew attention to the spiritual choice facing every believer today. "The majority of truly faithful have made their choice – they are going to Golgotha with their Church," the hierarch is convinced, noting that faithfulness, courage, and readiness to resist pressure have become distinctive features of current church life.
Metropolitan Theodosiy emphasized that trials contribute to the purification and strengthening of the Church, and the Lord does not abandon those who remain faithful to Him despite external difficulties.
As the UOJ wrote, Metropolitan Theodosiy reported on religious genocide in Ukraine at the UN.
