Cherkasy, Cherkasy Province, Ukraine, December 1, 2025
Photo: pravlife.org
His Eminence Metropolitan Theodosy of Cherkasy and Kanev, one of the most persecuted hierarchs of the canonical Ukrainian Orthodox Church, was urgently hospitalized late last week and is likely the victim of poisoning.
The Cherkasy Diocese released the following statement:
Brothers and sisters!
Regarding the emergency hospitalization of Metropolitan Theodosy of Cherkasy and Kanev, we report the following.
A little over a month ago, His Eminence began experiencing signs of an unusual illness. This was neither a manifestation of hypertension nor heart disease, conditions the hierarch chronically suffers from.
During this period, His Eminence frequently began running fevers, constant fluctuations in blood pressure commenced (from very high to very low readings), and his overall condition remained consistently poor. Because of this, over the past month Metropolitan Theodosy has had to cancel or reschedule a number of important divine services and events.
This week the hierarch’s health deteriorated sharply, and an expanded battery of tests showed certain indicators had increased 10–15 times over levels that were normal just a month ago. At the insistence of his attending physician, immediate hospitalization followed.
According to the doctors, during the diagnostic and treatment process, extensive testing will be conducted for the presence of toxic substances in the hierarch’s body.
At present, doctors have been able to stabilize the archpastor’s condition. His Eminence is undergoing a course of intensive therapy at the clinic. We thank everyone for their prayers!
The Cherkasy Diocese asks all who care to continue their prayers and to intensify their supplications before the Lord for Metropolitan Theodosy’s health.
The Union of Orthodox Journalists’ sources report that Met. Theodosy was poisoned, presumably with heavy metals. “Severe intoxication continues, his condition is relatively stable for now, but His Eminence remains in the hospital,” they note. According to their information, testing for poisons could take about a month.
Met. Theodosy has spent years under house arrest on fabricated charges, and his diocese has become a prime target for violent church seizures.
This is not the first attempt on his life. During the violent seizure of the Archangel Michael Cathedral in Cherkasy in October 2024, His Eminence was struck violently on the head with a baseball bat, though his episcopal klobuk softened the blow.
The health of many Ukrainian Orthodox Church hierarchs has suffered greatly under the pressure of state persecution, including Met. Theodosy, who suffered a heart attack in July 2024. However, the persecution continues.
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