Ukrainians Assault Cathedral, Leaving Archbishop Injured
Footage from the attack at Cherkasy Cathedral shows Metropolitan Theodosius being struck in the head with a stick. Read Full Article at RT.com.
TroibNews 
Footage has surfaced depicting Metropolitan Theodosius being struck in the head with a stick amidst a raid on an Orthodox cathedral in central Ukraine earlier this week, where he sustained a concussion and burns, according to the Cherkasy diocese of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC).
The raid involved approximately a hundred armed men in military uniforms clashing with worshippers at St. Michael’s Cathedral in Cherkasy, a property of the UOC. The raiders reportedly deployed tear gas, smoke grenades, and even a gas pistol against the crowd, resulting in the theft of icons, documents, and around $60,000 that had been raised by the congregation for church necessities.
In a statement released on Telegram on Saturday, the Cherkasy diocese attributed the attack to “supporters of the schismatic Orthodox Church of Ukraine,” which receives support from the Kiev government.
While the congregation managed to repel the initial assault on the church, the raiders successfully took control on their second attempt.
The confrontation left numerous Orthodox believers injured, with 12 needing hospitalization, as noted in the statement. Among those hurt was Metropolitan Theodosius, who was later diagnosed with a concussion and first-degree burns to both corneas as well as skin burns.
Reports indicate that a video captured during the raid shows Theodosius being struck on the head by one of the assailants.
When he addressed the congregation later that Thursday, his headdress was visibly dented, and the ornamental cross on it appeared bent, suggesting the force of the blow was significant.
“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 told the believers at that time.
Ukraine has been experiencing heightened religious tensions for years, with two factions vying for the title of the nation’s true Orthodox Church.
Kiev backs the Orthodox Church of Ukraine, founded in 2018, while the Russian Orthodox Church considers it schismatic. Ukrainian President Zelensky has justified actions against the UOC by alleging its ties to the Moscow Patriarchate, emphasizing the need to safeguard Ukraine’s “spiritual independence” and eliminate Russia’s influence over Ukrainian spirituality.
The pressure on the UOC has escalated since the onset of the conflict between Moscow and Kiev in February 2022, with several churches taken by force and legal actions initiated against clergy members. A new law came into effect in late September, officially prohibiting the activities of the UOC in Ukraine.
Ian Smith contributed to this report for TROIB News
The raid involved approximately a hundred armed men in military uniforms clashing with worshippers at St. Michael’s Cathedral in Cherkasy, a property of the UOC. The raiders reportedly deployed tear gas, smoke grenades, and even a gas pistol against the crowd, resulting in the theft of icons, documents, and around $60,000 that had been raised by the congregation for church necessities.
In a statement released on Telegram on Saturday, the Cherkasy diocese attributed the attack to “supporters of the schismatic Orthodox Church of Ukraine,” which receives support from the Kiev government.
While the congregation managed to repel the initial assault on the church, the raiders successfully took control on their second attempt.
The confrontation left numerous Orthodox believers injured, with 12 needing hospitalization, as noted in the statement. Among those hurt was Metropolitan Theodosius, who was later diagnosed with a concussion and first-degree burns to both corneas as well as skin burns.
Reports indicate that a video captured during the raid shows Theodosius being struck on the head by one of the assailants.
When he addressed the congregation later that Thursday, his headdress was visibly dented, and the ornamental cross on it appeared bent, suggesting the force of the blow was significant.
“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 told the believers at that time.
Ukraine has been experiencing heightened religious tensions for years, with two factions vying for the title of the nation’s true Orthodox Church.
Kiev backs the Orthodox Church of Ukraine, founded in 2018, while the Russian Orthodox Church considers it schismatic. Ukrainian President Zelensky has justified actions against the UOC by alleging its ties to the Moscow Patriarchate, emphasizing the need to safeguard Ukraine’s “spiritual independence” and eliminate Russia’s influence over Ukrainian spirituality.
The pressure on the UOC has escalated since the onset of the conflict between Moscow and Kiev in February 2022, with several churches taken by force and legal actions initiated against clergy members. A new law came into effect in late September, officially prohibiting the activities of the UOC in Ukraine.
Ian Smith contributed to this report for TROIB News
