In Cherkasy, believers of the Moscow Patriarchate seized the cathedral: there are wounded (photos, video).

In Cherkasy, on October 17, St. Michael's Cathedral transferred to the Orthodox Church of Ukraine. This led to a conflict between the believers of both denominations. According to Suspilne, as a result, people clashed, and there are injured.

“There are police and medics on site, to whom several people have turned. The information states that a woman with a bandaged head and a man who was pepper-sprayed reached out to the medics,” the material states.

In Cherkasy, parishioners of the UOC of the Moscow Patriarchate are storming the cathedral, local public accounts reportThey have already broken the entrance gates. Also, supporters of the Moscow church are using tear gas. pic.twitter.com/xilzSd4PlJ

— GLAVCOM (@GLAVCOM_UA) October 17, 2024

Currently, law enforcement officers are at the scene, reports the National Police of Ukraine.

“The police received information about the gathering of people on the temple's territory. Law enforcement officers arrived at the scene to ensure public order, document violations and identify all participants in the incident. Investigative activities are ongoing,” law enforcement officials stated.

The mayor of Cherkasy, Anatoliy Bondarenko, also reacted to the storming of the cathedral by supporters of the Moscow Patriarchate. He noted that he is on Glory Square, where the commemoration of two fallen Heroes will be held. After this, he invited the local community to St. Michael’s Cathedral for a service:

“Dear city residents, after the funeral, I invite everyone to express their opinion regarding the existence of the Moscow church in our city. I ask everyone to pray for the Armed Forces of Ukraine and for the health of our soldiers in Ukrainian in the largest temple in the center of Ukraine. We, as the authorities, did not interfere in this process, the community voluntarily transitioned to the OCU, but something illegal is happening there.”

According to local media, Metropolitan Feodosy was present with parishioners of the Moscow Patriarchate, who were repeatedly informed of suspicions for discrediting priests of other denominations and spreading fakes.

We remind you that in the morning, on October 17, St. Michael's Cathedral in Cherkasy transferred to the Orthodox Church of Ukraine, which immediately caused believers of the Moscow Patriarchate to react. They broke the entrance gates and entered the territory of the temple.