Parishioners of the UOC MP have seized the largest Orthodox church in Cherkasy - the St. Michael's Cathedral, whose community has transitioned to the Orthodox Church of Ukraine.
As reported by the publication 18000, supporters of the Moscow church broke down the entrance gates and entered the church grounds, using tear gas. Around 09:00, UOC parishioners took control of the cathedral.
Additionally, in a video circulating on social media, it is visible that some individuals in the church began using metal rods from the benches against those dressed in camouflage, forcing them out of the cathedral.
Subsequently, it became known that the police arrived at the church. Law enforcement officials stated that they were ensuring public order and identifying all participants in the incident.
This morning, Cherkasy chaplain Volodymyr Ridnyi wrote on Facebook that the St. Michael's Cathedral in Cherkasy, which had long been under the control of the Moscow Patriarchate, has transitioned to the OCU.
He added that from now on, the church will always be open to military personnel, as it has now become a Garrison church.
"A center for national-patriotic education, a Sunday school, and chaplain training will also be established on the church grounds... All parishioners who were and remain in the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (Moscow Patriarchate) are invited to pray in the Garrison church in the Ukrainian language," Ridnyi noted.
After the incident around the cathedral, Cherkasy Mayor Anatolii Bondarenko called on people to come to the church and express their opinion regarding the presence of the Moscow church in the city.
"I invite the Cherkasy community to express their opinion concerning the existence of the Moscow church in our city, to come and pray for the Armed Forces of Ukraine and for the health of our warriors in the largest church in the center of Ukraine. We, as authorities, did not interfere in this; the community voluntarily transitioned to the OCU, but something unlawful is already happening there. Therefore, I invite you to come and affirm the will of the community," Bondarenko stated.
Updated at 11:51. The conflict among the believers in St. Michael's Cathedral is being investigated by the police as hooliganism.
According to law enforcement sources, several individuals were injured as a result of the hooligan actions both on the church grounds and inside.
Police have interviewed participants in the conflict. They are currently identifying witnesses and bystanders to the incident, as well as reviewing video recordings released on social media.
Updated at 13:35. Later, chaplain Ridnyi reported that the cathedral had been freed from supporters of the UOC MP. For the first time, a prayer was held in the Ukrainian language there.
After the prayer, the priests informed that the first service in the Ukrainian language at St. Michael's Cathedral will take place on Sunday, October 20. The service will be led by Metropolitan Ioann. On October 19, on Dmitrovskaya Memorial Saturday, a memorial service will be held in the church for those who gave their lives for Ukraine's independence.
What is known about the temple's clergyman, Metropolitan Theodosii
As reported by Suspilne, Metropolitan of Cherkasy and Kaniv Theodosii - Denys Snihirev, who served in this church, has already faced five charges, including inciting inter-religious hatred and denying the armed aggression of the Russian Federation, subversive activities against Ukraine, and violating the equality of citizens based on their religious beliefs. He has been under house arrest several times.
Moreover, according to local media, Snihirev and his close associates have strong ties to Russia. In particular, he spent a long time studying and working in the RF, from where he was returned shortly before the events of the Revolution of Dignity, in which he actively participated on the side of the then authorities.
Ban on UOC MP in Ukraine
On August 20, the Verkhovna Rada adopted a bill banning the activities of religious organizations in Ukraine, including those associated with the RF.
According to a recent survey conducted by the Kyiv International Institute of Sociology (KIIS), an overwhelming majority of Ukrainians (80%) support this law.