UOC Chancellor: We are with Met Theodosiy and his flock with all our hearts

Metropolitan Anthony (Pakanich). Photo: Bishop's Facebook

The Chancellor of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, Metropolitan Anthony of Boryspil and Brovary, commented on the situation regarding the forceful seizure of the UOC cathedral in Cherkasy.

The bishop stated that the Orthodox parishioners of the church, together with Metropolitan Theodosiy, were attacked by armed individuals. The believers and the bishop were beaten, sprayed with gas, and threatened with weapons.

“All that is happening once again demonstrates the madness occurring in our country. Is it not madness to wage war against one’s own citizens during an external war? It is astonishing to see so many armed 'warriors' not at the front but in their own peaceful city, boldly taking up arms against priests, women, and the elderly,” said Metropolitan Anthony.

The bishop called today’s events in Cherkasy “one of the episodes of a brutal undeclared war against our own people, in which victory is impossible.”

“As for those who persecute the Church of Christ – they have fully revealed their true nature, for a tree is known by its fruits. God will be their judge – we can only be horrified at their fate in the coming age unless they heal their souls through repentance,” he noted.

The UOC Chancellor emphasized: “We now stand with all our hearts with Vladyka Theodosiy and his flock.”

“But no matter how difficult these mad and evil times may be for us, we will continue to carry the Light of Christ, we will continue to confess our faith, the salvific faith passed down to us by the holy fathers and entrusted to us by our forefathers,” added the UOC hierarch.

As reported by the UOJ, unknown individuals in camouflage seized the UOC cathedral in Cherkasy on their second attempt.

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