Archangel Michael Cathedral of UOC seized in Cherkasy
Militants in balaclavas expelled worshippers from the cathedral and prevented video recording.
Around 3 a.m. on the night of October 17, approximately 100 people in camouflage and balaclavas forcefully broke into the territory of the Archangel Michael Cathedral of the UOC in Cherkasy, where a nighttime Liturgy was taking place, according to the diocesan Telegram channel "Cherkasy Blagovestnik".
The attackers expelled worshippers from the church grounds, confiscated their phones, and did not allow recording of the events. They also dismantled surveillance cameras. Witnesses report that windows were broken and doors were forced open in the building. The attackers entered the diocesan administration building and seized the cathedral.
Orthodox residents of Cherkasy are gathering to protect their sanctuary.
The diocesan clergy's residence is surrounded by the attackers. Young children of the priests (7 children aged from 3 months to 8 years) are frightened and in a state of stress.
Orthodox residents from the Cherkasy region are gathering to defend the cathedral.
As reported by UOJ earlier, the Mayor of Cherkasy, Anatoliy Bondarenko, posted a photo of the Archangel Michael Cathedral on Instagram, indicating his intention to transfer the church to the OCU.
On September 29, there was already an attempted raid on the church, but at that time, the people in camouflage gathered near the cathedral did not dare to storm it when they saw UOC parishioners coming out to defend the cathedral.
