Orthodox leader sustains burns and concussion during raid on Ukrainian cathedral
Footage from the attack scene in Cherkasy shows Metropolitan Theodosius being struck in the head with a stick. Read Full Article at RT.com.
TroibNews 
Footage from the scene shows Metropolitan Theodosius being struck in the head with a stick.
Earlier this week, Metropolitan Theodosius sustained a concussion and burns during a raid on an Orthodox cathedral in central Ukraine, according to the Cherkasy diocese of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC).
Around one hundred men in military uniforms clashed with worshippers at St. Michael’s Cathedral in Cherkasy, which is affiliated with the UOC. The raiders reportedly employed tear gas, smoke grenades, and even fired a gas pistol into the crowd. During the incident, icons, documents, and approximately $60,000 that had been raised by the congregation for church needs were allegedly stolen.
The Cherkasy diocese’s press service issued a statement via Telegram on Saturday, claiming that the attack was carried out by “supporters of the schismatic Orthodox Church of Ukraine,” which is backed by Kyiv.
While the congregation successfully repelled the initial attempt to storm the church, the raiders managed to take control of the place of worship on their second attempt, the statement explained.
Dozens of Orthodox believers were injured, with 12 of them needing hospitalization. Among the injured was Metropolitan Theodosius of Cherkasy, who was “diagnosed with a concussion, first-degree burns of the cornea of both eyes and skin burns,” according to the diocese.
A video recorded during the raid reportedly captures Metropolitan Theodosius being struck in the head with a stick by one of the attackers. When he addressed parishioners later on Thursday, his headdress displayed a noticeable dent, indicating the severity of the blow, which even bent the decorative cross atop it.
“We are going to our homes, to attics and cellars. We will be praying and conducting services underground, if our temples are taken away from us,” Metropolitan Theodosius reassured the congregation at that moment.
Ukraine has been facing religious tensions for several years, with two rival factions both claiming to represent the nation's true Orthodox Church.
Kyiv backs the Orthodox Church of Ukraine, founded in 2018 and which the Russian Orthodox Church labels as schismatic. President Zelensky has justified the actions against the UOC by citing its alleged connections to the Moscow Patriarchate and emphasizing the need to safeguard Ukraine’s “spiritual independence” to prevent Russia from exploiting the spirituality of the Ukrainian people.
Persecution of the UOC escalated after the conflict between Moscow and Kyiv erupted in February 2022. Several of its churches have been forcibly seized, and criminal investigations have been initiated against various clerics. A law officially banning the activities of the UOC in Ukraine was enacted at the end of September.
Frederick R Cook contributed to this report for TROIB News
Earlier this week, Metropolitan Theodosius sustained a concussion and burns during a raid on an Orthodox cathedral in central Ukraine, according to the Cherkasy diocese of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC).
Around one hundred men in military uniforms clashed with worshippers at St. Michael’s Cathedral in Cherkasy, which is affiliated with the UOC. The raiders reportedly employed tear gas, smoke grenades, and even fired a gas pistol into the crowd. During the incident, icons, documents, and approximately $60,000 that had been raised by the congregation for church needs were allegedly stolen.
The Cherkasy diocese’s press service issued a statement via Telegram on Saturday, claiming that the attack was carried out by “supporters of the schismatic Orthodox Church of Ukraine,” which is backed by Kyiv.
While the congregation successfully repelled the initial attempt to storm the church, the raiders managed to take control of the place of worship on their second attempt, the statement explained.
Dozens of Orthodox believers were injured, with 12 of them needing hospitalization. Among the injured was Metropolitan Theodosius of Cherkasy, who was “diagnosed with a concussion, first-degree burns of the cornea of both eyes and skin burns,” according to the diocese.
A video recorded during the raid reportedly captures Metropolitan Theodosius being struck in the head with a stick by one of the attackers. When he addressed parishioners later on Thursday, his headdress displayed a noticeable dent, indicating the severity of the blow, which even bent the decorative cross atop it.
“We are going to our homes, to attics and cellars. We will be praying and conducting services underground, if our temples are taken away from us,” Metropolitan Theodosius reassured the congregation at that moment.
Ukraine has been facing religious tensions for several years, with two rival factions both claiming to represent the nation's true Orthodox Church.
Kyiv backs the Orthodox Church of Ukraine, founded in 2018 and which the Russian Orthodox Church labels as schismatic. President Zelensky has justified the actions against the UOC by citing its alleged connections to the Moscow Patriarchate and emphasizing the need to safeguard Ukraine’s “spiritual independence” to prevent Russia from exploiting the spirituality of the Ukrainian people.
Persecution of the UOC escalated after the conflict between Moscow and Kyiv erupted in February 2022. Several of its churches have been forcibly seized, and criminal investigations have been initiated against various clerics. A law officially banning the activities of the UOC in Ukraine was enacted at the end of September.
Frederick R Cook contributed to this report for TROIB News
