OCU "hierarch" complains about difficulties in transitioning UOC priests

Ivan Yaremenko "serves" in a seized UOC cathedral. Photo: Facebook of the Cherkasy Eparchy of the OCU

The head of the Cherkasy Eparchy of the OCU, Ivan Yaremenko, expressed dissatisfaction with the refusal of Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC) clergy in the region to join his structure, even in cases where their churches were seized. According to Yaremenko, only one UOC priest transitioned to the OCU in 2024. He shared this in a comment to Suspilne.Cherkasy.

According to Yaremenko, in 2024, the OCU seized 30 churches that belonged to the UOC. However, in only one instance did a UOC priest agree to transition to the OCU along with their parish. Since 2022, the OCU in the Cherkasy region has taken over about 100 churches. As a result, only three UOC churches remain in Cherkasy itself, which, as claimed, is the result of joint actions by the OCU and radical activists.

"This year, there are no priests who truly care about their community. Only one was found. As for Kanev and Cherkasy, it always involves disputes and fights. These churches are clearly more important as 'strongholds of the Russian world,' for which they fiercely fight," Yaremenko stated.

As previously reported by the UOJ, Metropolitan Theodosiy spoke about the looting by OCU "clergy" led by "Metropolitan" Ivan Yaremenko.

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