UOC hierarch: The Lord will lead us through trials and grant relief
Metropolitan Theodosiy encouraged believers to endure trials and expressed hope for their return to the cathedral in Cherkasy, seized a month ago.
Metropolitan Theodosiy of Cherkasy and Kaniv addressed his flock on the 21st Sunday after Pentecost, a month after the UOC cathedral in Cherkasy was seized, as reported by the diocesan press service.
In his address, he reminded believers of the importance of patience and faith in challenging times: "Today marks exactly one month since the parishioners of the cathedral dispersed to other churches in Cherkasy. But we must understand that, having lost our cathedral, we are undergoing certain trials. These trials have been placed on our shoulders by the Lord as a cross that we must bear for a certain while."
The Metropolitan emphasized that the faithful should remain steadfast in their faith and pray for their return to the cathedral, continuing to hope for God’s help: "If we believe in God’s help, that help will surely come. We do not know how, but the Lord will lead us through the burden of trials and grant relief."
Theodosiy also expressed hope for a peaceful resolution to the conflict and the spiritual purification of the faithful through these trials: "I wish for this period to end soon, for a free and peaceful future to come to our country, for the Church to regain its freedom, and for us to return to our cathedral."
As previously reported by the UOJ, instances of desecration by OCU raiders in the UOC cathedral in Cherkasy have been shared online.
