21 October 2024
Dear brothers and sisters!
Today, our thoughts and hearts are with our brothers in Cherkasy. A few days ago, a group of armed men in camouflage seized and plundered the Cathedral Church of the Archangel Michael, desecrated the shrine, and stole the fund raised in the church for installing a bell. Metropolitan Theodosius of Cherkasy and Kaniv was beaten, and many believers who had stood up for the defence of the church received severe injuries and are still in hospitals.
And all of it happened with the complete inaction of the police. The Mayor of Cherkasy, who only two years ago happily received a high church award for the development of relations between the Church and society from the hands of a hierarch of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, personally and actively called for seizing the church. The participants of the attack have been identified as members of far-right nationalist organisations.
What is going on in Ukraine today is a direct consequence of the massive campaign of hatred and slander thrown at the canonical Ukrainian Orthodox Church in the last years. The authorities, first in the person of Petro Poroshenko and then of Volodymyr Zelenskyi as well, organised overt repressions against the UOC, persecuting hierarchs, clergymen, and laymen and encouraging seizures of churches and the desecration of shrines. Are those politicians whose actions have resulted in the animosity in society, splitting up Ukrainians and pitting them against each other, and attempts to denigrate and ban the canonical Church satisfied now? And is Patriarch Bartholomew satisfied, whose actions for the legalisation of schismatics have led to the present tragic consequences? Although he openly promised: “I will not cause pain to the Ukrainian Orthodox Church.”
When in August the Verkhovna Rada passed a law aimed at banning the UOC, it was clear: we would not have the prescribed nine months to prepare documents. We would not have time to prove our cause (although the Church and her leadership should answer only to the Lord Himself). The persecution of the Church and seizures of temples will continue, for the seeds of evil have already been planted and have grown. The authorities do not even intend to abide by the laws — “the Constitution is on pause”, as its guarantor once said.
We were told about a “civilised” mechanism for closing down organisations allegedly threatening national security. We were persuaded that freedom of religion was in no danger if the community was clear before the law. We were promised that everything would be decided by examinations, courts, and appeals. In fact, however, everything is decided by violence, bats, tear gas, organised groups of plunderers, and the administrative resource of the corrupt local authorities.
What do we see? Less than two months after the adoption of the law, in Cherkasy, the seizure of a cathedral owned by the diocese was organised. This church had been erected by efforts and at the cost of parishioners of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church for more than six years, and it could not be claimed by state bodies or the so-called “Orthodox Church of Ukraine”.
These actions require both a legal and a moral assessment. Our task is to make sure that the documents and materials are published and to acquaint the world public with them. I am sure that we will attain truth and justice.
In these hard days, I would like to express my support to Metropolitan Theodosius. He acted as a true spiritual leader, heroically opposing an angry crowd of radical nationalists and outright bandits. He was not afraid to stand in front of his flock and to take the blow himself, defending not only the church but also canonical Orthodoxy in Ukraine itself. The metropolitan did not make up to the authorities, did not bow his head, did not show cowardice, and acted as a zealous defender of the faith and servant of the Lord. His example is a testimony to the fact that hierarchal ministry is not only honour and respect but also responsibility, readiness for self-sacrifice and for bearing one's cross, and a personal example for many believers.
Today, it is important to understand that this is not the last trial. “If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you”, the Lord tells His disciples in the Gospel. “...the time cometh, that whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth God service. And these things will they do unto you, because they have not known the Father, nor Me” (John 16:2-3).
It is necessary to pray, strengthen communities, unite, and act as a single organism, defending our lawful rights. The courage and selfless behaviour of Orthodox residents of Cherkasy are a role model. They impressed and inspired the entire Orthodox Ukraine when they did not fear the invaders and tried to resist them decently without breaking or showing anguish of spirit.
Dear brothers and sisters, I encourage you to sincere prayer and unity. I am sure that we will get through these trials worthily, the Lord will not forsake us, and our Church, like before, will sustain, revive, and rise again. I wish faith, patience, recovery as soon as possible, and strength of spirit to Metropolitan Theodosius and all the defenders of the Church who tried to prevent the desecration and plundering of the cathedral. Enemies of the Lord will not win, for they do not understand that Christ lives not within walls, but in our hearts, which are beyond the reach of violence and raiding.
All related news Today, our thoughts and hearts are with our brothers in Cherkasy. A few days ago, a group of armed men in camouflage seized and plundered the Cathedral Church of the Archangel Michael, desecrated the shrine, and stole the fund raised in the church for installing a bell. Metropolitan Theodosius of Cherkasy and Kaniv was beaten, and many believers who had stood up for the defence of the church received severe injuries and are still in hospitals.
And all of it happened with the complete inaction of the police. The Mayor of Cherkasy, who only two years ago happily received a high church award for the development of relations between the Church and society from the hands of a hierarch of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, personally and actively called for seizing the church. The participants of the attack have been identified as members of far-right nationalist organisations.
What is going on in Ukraine today is a direct consequence of the massive campaign of hatred and slander thrown at the canonical Ukrainian Orthodox Church in the last years. The authorities, first in the person of Petro Poroshenko and then of Volodymyr Zelenskyi as well, organised overt repressions against the UOC, persecuting hierarchs, clergymen, and laymen and encouraging seizures of churches and the desecration of shrines. Are those politicians whose actions have resulted in the animosity in society, splitting up Ukrainians and pitting them against each other, and attempts to denigrate and ban the canonical Church satisfied now? And is Patriarch Bartholomew satisfied, whose actions for the legalisation of schismatics have led to the present tragic consequences? Although he openly promised: “I will not cause pain to the Ukrainian Orthodox Church.”
When in August the Verkhovna Rada passed a law aimed at banning the UOC, it was clear: we would not have the prescribed nine months to prepare documents. We would not have time to prove our cause (although the Church and her leadership should answer only to the Lord Himself). The persecution of the Church and seizures of temples will continue, for the seeds of evil have already been planted and have grown. The authorities do not even intend to abide by the laws — “the Constitution is on pause”, as its guarantor once said.
We were told about a “civilised” mechanism for closing down organisations allegedly threatening national security. We were persuaded that freedom of religion was in no danger if the community was clear before the law. We were promised that everything would be decided by examinations, courts, and appeals. In fact, however, everything is decided by violence, bats, tear gas, organised groups of plunderers, and the administrative resource of the corrupt local authorities.
What do we see? Less than two months after the adoption of the law, in Cherkasy, the seizure of a cathedral owned by the diocese was organised. This church had been erected by efforts and at the cost of parishioners of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church for more than six years, and it could not be claimed by state bodies or the so-called “Orthodox Church of Ukraine”.
These actions require both a legal and a moral assessment. Our task is to make sure that the documents and materials are published and to acquaint the world public with them. I am sure that we will attain truth and justice.
In these hard days, I would like to express my support to Metropolitan Theodosius. He acted as a true spiritual leader, heroically opposing an angry crowd of radical nationalists and outright bandits. He was not afraid to stand in front of his flock and to take the blow himself, defending not only the church but also canonical Orthodoxy in Ukraine itself. The metropolitan did not make up to the authorities, did not bow his head, did not show cowardice, and acted as a zealous defender of the faith and servant of the Lord. His example is a testimony to the fact that hierarchal ministry is not only honour and respect but also responsibility, readiness for self-sacrifice and for bearing one's cross, and a personal example for many believers.
Today, it is important to understand that this is not the last trial. “If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you”, the Lord tells His disciples in the Gospel. “...the time cometh, that whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth God service. And these things will they do unto you, because they have not known the Father, nor Me” (John 16:2-3).
It is necessary to pray, strengthen communities, unite, and act as a single organism, defending our lawful rights. The courage and selfless behaviour of Orthodox residents of Cherkasy are a role model. They impressed and inspired the entire Orthodox Ukraine when they did not fear the invaders and tried to resist them decently without breaking or showing anguish of spirit.
Dear brothers and sisters, I encourage you to sincere prayer and unity. I am sure that we will get through these trials worthily, the Lord will not forsake us, and our Church, like before, will sustain, revive, and rise again. I wish faith, patience, recovery as soon as possible, and strength of spirit to Metropolitan Theodosius and all the defenders of the Church who tried to prevent the desecration and plundering of the cathedral. Enemies of the Lord will not win, for they do not understand that Christ lives not within walls, but in our hearts, which are beyond the reach of violence and raiding.
