Kiev, November 13, 2026
Metropolitan Theodosy of Cherkasy. Photo: cherkasy.church.ua
A diocese that has endured repeated church seizures, brutal violence, and even attempts on its bishop’s life now faces a state investigation that could end with its forced closure.
A research group of Ukraine’s State Service for Ethnopolitics and Freedom of Conscience (GESS) begins examining the Cherkasy Diocese of the canonical Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC) today for signs of affiliation with a foreign religious organization banned in Ukraine, GESS reports.
In the statement, GESS says the decision was made under the law “On Freedom of Conscience and Religious Organizations” and the procedure for investigating religious organizations for signs of affiliation with banned foreign religious organizations. The service says it acts strictly within current legislation and with respect for religious freedom.
GESS also notes that, under Article 5-1 of the law On Freedom of Conscience and Religious Organizations, a religious organization can’t operate in Ukraine if it’s affiliated with a banned foreign religious organization (meaning the Moscow Patriarchate). The same goes for an organization affiliated with another religious organization that is itself affiliated with such a banned foreign body.
The outcome of the investigation is essentially a foregone conclusion. GESS has already declared that the Kiev Metropolis of the UOC is connected to the Moscow Patriarchate, and any diocese of the UOC is therefore automatically deemed the same.
The statement says that any signs of foreign influence or subordination in connection with banned structures will be thoroughly investigated, and that the results will be presented publicly.
The diocese’s ruling bishop, His Eminence Metropolitan Theodosy of Cherkasy, is one of the most persecuted hierarchs of the canonical UOC. His diocese has faced repeated church seizures and acts of brutal violence, and there have been multiple attempts on Metropolitan Theodosy’s life.
He is also one of the most outspoken UOC hierarchs on the persecution of the Church by the Patriarchate of Constantinople, the schismatic Orthodox Church of Ukraine (OCU), and the Ukrainian state, calling it nothing less than a genocide against the Church.
Follow OrthoChristian on Facebook, Twitter, Vkontakte, Telegram, WhatsApp, and MeWe!
