Raid on Ukrainian Orthodox Church leaves Metropolitan injured
Metropolitan Theodosius of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church suffered a concussion and burns during a violent raid on St. Michael’s Cathedral in Cherkasy, carried out by armed men, mostly from the Orthodox Church of Ukraine. | The UN Human Rights Office reaffirmed that freedom of religion is a fundamental right after a raid on St. Michael’s Cathedral in Cherkasy, Ukraine. Videos show armed men in military-style clothing clashing with worshippers from the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC). The attackers reportedly used tear gas, stun grenades, and fired a gas pistol, stealing icons, documents, and $60,000. The UOC blamed “schismatics” from the Kiev-backed Orthodox Church of Ukraine (OCU) for the attack against worshippers. The UN stressed, "Attacks on civilian believers are prohibited under international human rights and humanitarian norms."
■ Ukrainian diocese ‘goes underground’ after raid on cathedral (10/18/24)