Another sacrilege of OCU raiders in Cherkasy Cathedral of UOC shown online

The mitre of the late Metropolitan Sophrony of Cherkasy and Kaniv. Photo: Dozor

Raiders from the OCU, who at night of 17 October broke into St. Michael's Cathedral of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Cherkasy, broke the doors of the sacristy and abused the vestments of the hierarchs of the UOC, including the deceased Metropolitan Sophrony of Cherkasy. Doozor_kozak1 Telegram channel published photos showing that crosses were torn off the hierarchs' vestments.

According to the assumption of journalists, the activists of the OCU thought that they are valuable.

“Raiders from the OCU ‘with meat’ tore the crosses from the mitres found in St Michael's Cathedral of the UOC. Moreover, they were crushed. It was as if the militants trampled on them. Trampled and broke the images of the Lord and the Mother of God,” says the message on the Telegram channel.

They also published a photo in which the late Metropolitan Sophrony is wearing a mitre, which was abused by the raiders.

“Surveillance cameras recorded the militants‘ handler Ruslan Batyr, who with others blasphemes and poses for a photo with the bishop's baton,” states the message.

It was recalled that the head of the Cherkasy OCU, Ivan Yaremenko, organized a "mock memorial service at the grave of the late bishop," and that the mayor, Bonderenko, who facilitated the seizure of the shrine, also used the name of Metropolitan Sophrony for cover.

"The leaders of the Cherkasy OCU themselves refer to these people as their 'believers'. In other words, they take full responsibility for this anti-Christian barbarism committed by militants on their behalf," the Orthodox journalists concluded.

As earlier reported by the UOJ, the monk of the UOC who was brutally beaten in Cherkasy has been discharged from hospital.

Read also

Interview with His Eminence Metropolitan Nicholas, First Hierarch of ROCOR

The Southern Clergy Retreat and the Growth of Orthodoxy in the South

Christian Orthodox Coalition Calls for Action Amid Syrian Crisis

March 19, 2025 – The Christian Orthodox Coalition in the United States has issued a powerful statement condemning the ongoing persecution of Orthodox Christians in war-torn Syria.

EP Hopes US Visit Will Boost Abp. Elpidophoros' Declining Influence

The National Herald reports that Patriarch Bartholomew will travel to America to seek new connections with Washington and support Archbishop Elpidophoros.

Metropolitan Joan of Korca elected as Primate of the Albanian Orthodox Church

Albanian Orthodox Church Elevates Met. Joan (Pelushi) to Primate After Archbishop Anastasi’s Repose

The 17th Anniversary of the Repose of Met. Laurus (Shkurla), First Hierarch of the ROCOR

Parishes of the Eastern American Diocese (ROCOR) lifted up their prayers in remembrance of the much-loved Vladyka Laurus on the anniversary of his repose.

"The entire family has been massacred in Baniyas, Syria. They were Orthodox Christians. Humanity has failed!"

Social media is telling the stories Corporate Media will not, and people are taking notice.