Cherkasy, Cherkasy Province, Ukraine, October 20, 2024
Photo: Telegram
On October 17, militants of the “Orthodox Church of Ukraine” seized the Archangel Michael Cathedral in Cherkasy. Clergy and parishioners of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church were injured as a result of the attack.
The faithful were attacked with tear gas, many of them suffering corneal burns from the toxic substance. According to the Telegram channel of the Cherkasy Diocese, more than 10 cathedral parishioners have been hospitalized with injuries of varying severity, and several dozen parishioners are undergoing outpatient treatment.
Metropolitan Theodosy of Cherkasy and Kanev was severely injured. During the attack, he was beaten, his klobuk was torn off, and his bishop’s staff was snatched away and used to strike believers.
Photo: Telegram Screenshot
Photo: Telegram Screenshot
The hierarch has been diagnosed with a concussion, first-degree corneal burns in both eyes, and skin burns.
“Vladyka has been prescribed treatment and strict bed rest. Nevertheless, despite his poor health, SBU (Security Service of Ukraine) officers came to the Metropolitan today with a document demanding to strengthen the hierarch’s arrest, changing it from nighttime to round-the-clock. The obvious purpose of such actions seems to be the desire to prevent Metropolitan Theodosy from seeing his Cherkasy flock and protecting it from the lawlessness of local officials and attacks by militants. This SBU petition will be considered in court,” the diocese's statement from October 19 notes.
Video of the attack on the Metropolitan has appeared online:
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