Metropolitan Yevstratiy (Zorya) of Bila Tserkva, a representative of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine (OCU), has revealed concerns about the possibility of a confrontation surrounding the Holy Transfiguration Cathedral in Bila Tserkva. He alleges that members of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate (UOC-MP) are deliberately creating an artificial pretext for resistance, aiming to depict it as persecution of the canonical Church.
Metropolitan Yevstratiy explains that in April 2023, the Bila Tserkva City Council terminated the agreement with the UOC-MP regarding the use of municipal property, including the Holy Transfiguration Cathedral. Subsequently, representatives of the UOC-MP removed most of the movable items from the cathedral.
On June 29, the city council decided to transfer the Holy Transfiguration Cathedral to the OCU, a move that was met with opposition from UOC-MP representatives.
Metropolitan Yevstratiy further highlights that supporters of the Moscow Patriarchate, including Metropolitan Augustine Markevich, are unlawfully obstructing the rector of the cathedral, Father Mykola Hopainych, and the OCU parishioners from entering the premises. In response, official statements have been filed with law enforcement agencies.
As a ruling hierarch, Metropolitan Yevstratiy asserts that the UOC-MP is deliberately creating a provocative situation, fully aware that they lack legitimate grounds to remain in the cathedral. Their objective appears to be fabricating a pretext for a confrontation, which can then be exploited to reinforce the narrative of Russian propaganda regarding alleged persecution in Ukraine.