Head of C14 Karas thanks his people for seizing UOC cathedral in Cherkasy
The radical leader also expressed gratitude to OCU chaplains and authorities.
An audio recording was published on social media in which the leader of the radical group C14, Yevhen Karas, effectively takes responsibility for the forcible seizure of the UOC Cathedral in Cherkasy on October 17.
Karas admits that it was his people who entered the cathedral at night and later finished what they had started, storming and seizing the Orthodox shrine.
“Thanks to all involved – military chaplains, the Cherkasy community, patriots, and everyone who came to help Cherkasy. Cossacks, nationalists, as always, are on the front lines. Nationalists do not retreat, even when they face opposition,” he said, addressing his followers in his Telegram group.
The radical criticizes those who did not respond to the call he made at 6 a.m.
“When I make a call to action, you need to come. If you had come, I would have found a way to cover your expenses... When I say it’s needed, then it’s needed,” he insists to his people.
In an apparent attempt to claim all the credit, Karas states that the authorities did not participate in this terror, although some representatives earned his approval.
“To all who supported this among the authorities, much respect. Because we rightfully returned our huge church. The police did not help in any way... There were no military – these were either members of volunteer formations, discharged personnel, or those of age... You saw, there were a lot of young people. The only military present were military clergy – chaplains (meaning OCU chaplains – Ed.),” the C14 head continues.
Karas blasphemously refers to his actions as a "sacred liturgy" and "sacred catechism."
“We declared this 'sacred liturgy' back in May. Much has happened since then, and more will happen. This is a significant conclusion to what we started,” Karas states and calls on others. “Sign up for future acts of 'sacred catechism' of demons in cassocks of the rocfsb. There will be many more 'liturgies.'"
Previously, the UOJ published chronicles of the UOC cathedral seizure in Cherkasy: Faith Against Violence.