OCU: Clashes near the church in Cherkasy were a planned provocation aimed at discrediting Ukraine

This was stated by Metropolitan Yevstratiy (Zorya) of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine on television, Ukrinform reports.

“The local structure of the Moscow Patriarchate is headed by Metropolitan Theodosy Snigirev, who has long been under investigation as a suspect in a number of episodes. His case is in a state of trial. This is a person who, even against the background of the institution of the Moscow Patriarchate in Ukraine, is particularly distinguished by pro-Russian views... Therefore, what happened yesterday in Cherkasy was a deliberate provocation by specific individuals who tried to create a picture for Russian propaganda,” Zorya said.

The Metropolitan of the OCU noted that Snigirev was repeatedly summoned by representatives of the Russian Federation to participate in UN meetings to give statements about the alleged persecution.

According to the representative of the OCU, knowing in advance that the community would want to exercise their right to use the church, Metropolitan Theodosy carefully prepared a provocation to discredit Ukraine.

Metropolitan Yevstratiy emphasized that the process of transition from the UOC-MP to the OCU will continue despite the efforts of Russian propaganda.

As reported previously, Ukraine's largest Orthodox church, Archangel Michael Cathedral in Cherkasy, has been transferred to the Orthodox Church of Ukraine, and its chaplains have already declared it a garrison church. For their part, believers of the UOC-MP organized a pogrom.

The police of the Cherkasy region opened a criminal investigation into the hooliganism at St. Michael's Cathedral.