V. Legoyda: “We have once again witnessed a flagrant act of terrorism by the schismatics against the believers of the canonical Ukrainian Orthodox Church.”

DECR Communication service, 17.10.2024.

On October 17, supporters of the “Orthodox Church of Ukraine” seized the Archangel-Mikhail Cathedral in Cherkassy during a repeated assault, resulting in injuries among the parishioners and clergy of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church. Metropolitan Theodosy of Cherkassy and Kanev has been hospitalized.

The statement was made by the head of the Synodal Department for Church's Relations with Society and Mass Media, acting head of the Press Service of the Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus', V.R. Legoyda, in his Telegram channel:

“We have once again witnessed a flagrant act of terrorism by the schismatics against the believers of the canonical Ukrainian Orthodox Church. As a result of two coordinated attacks, the Archangel-Mikhail Cathedral in Cherkassy has been seized; the extremists carried out their plan despite the attempts of the believers to defend their church.

The targets of the armed terrorists, many of whom, as reported by Ukrainian journalists, are pagans, were peaceful believers, including women, children, and the elderly, who were shot at and gassed.

The state authorities allowed the extremists to seize the church, as always, without intervening in the beating of the believers. Western patrons of Ukraine, as usual, will turn a blind eye to what is happening. After all, those who destroy the unity of the Orthodox faith for the nations of historical Rus' should feel support from abroad and enjoy complete freedom of action, while such conditions as freedom of religion can be overlooked in this case.

We pray for those who have suffered and who, despite everything, courageously continue to profess their faith, remaining true to the Church of God. We believe that the numerous crimes against innocent believers will receive appropriate recognition and retribution sooner or later.”

Print publication

V. Legoyda: “We have once again witnessed a flagrant act of terrorism by the schismatics against the believers of the canonical Ukrainian Orthodox Church.”

Patriarch

Department Chairman

Sermons

Patriarch

Department Chairman

Sermons