Orthodox rivals fight it out in cathedral

Ukraine: Our shrine has been seized, says Metropolitan

Relations between Ukraine’s rival Orthodox Churches have worsened after violence broke out at a cathedral in Cherkasy, in central Ukraine.

Forces loyal to the independent Orthodox Church of Ukraine (OCU) seized St Michael’s Cathedral, which was under the governance of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC) historically subordinate to the Russian Orthodox Church.

A group wearing camouflage gear and balaclavas forcibly took control of the church in the early hours of 17 October, leading to a clash with the UOC parishioners.

The brawl lasted hours, resulting in injuries. After several attempts, the OCU group broke into the building and conducted a Ukrainian-language service, symbolising the cathedral’s “transfer” from the UOC.

“These people are nationalistically orientated. In the case of Cherkasy, there were also military priests [chaplains] involved,” explained Professor Sergii Bortnyk of Kyiv Theological Academy (a UOC institution) and the head of the Academic Initiative Foundation.

Among the injured was the hierarch of the UOC’s Cherkasy Diocese, Metropolitan Theodosiy. He suffered head injuries and was taken to hospital. After the attack, he addressed believers and supporters. “We did everything we could. We tried to defend our cathedral from the bandits. Unfortunately, against such force, there is no recourse. Thus, our shrine has been seized, albeit illegally,” he said. He asked believers to pray in private and in underground places.

The events in Cherkasy followed legislation in August banning religious organisations with ties to Russia, primarily targeting the UOC. The law gave allegedly Moscow-linked groups until next spring to cut any connections.
OCU Metropolitan Zorya of Bila Tserkva said the episode had been orchestrated by the UOC.

The Russian Orthodox Church has meanwhile announced an expansion of its Africa operations.

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