The poor no longer receive meals after OCU seized cathedral in Cherkasy
Sisters of Mercy used to come to the cathedral every Sunday to prepare meals for several hundred destitute people. Photo: Cherkasy Eparchy
Yesterday, Sunday, October 20, for the first time in several years, no charitable meals were provided to the poor, needy, and displaced people at the Cherkasy Cathedral, according to the press service of the UOC's Cherkasy Eparchy.
It was reported that after the OCU forcibly seized the Archangel Michael Cathedral in Cherkasy on October 17, the hot meals for the poor and needy stopped.
"Our Sisters of Mercy would come to the cathedral every Sunday to prepare hearty homemade meals for several hundred destitute people," the statement read. "Yesterday, no one was distributing hot meals at the cathedral, no one was offering spiritual support or taking the time for these people. After all, they need so little – just some attention and a bit of warmth."
The diocese speculates, "They didn’t seize the cathedral to carry out an Orthodox mission or show Christian love."
"Their motives are clearly reflected in their actions. We all know what disappeared within the first few hours of the 'new believers' taking over. How much goodness and mercy have departed the cathedral grounds along with the genuine believers..." the press service added.
Previously, the UOJ wrote the articale "The Cherkasy Cathedral has been seized – what’s next?"
Read also
Orthodox and Catholic bishops make joint visit to Mount Athos
The head of the Phanar blessed a joint pilgrimage to Mount Athos by Roman Catholic and Orthodox bishops.
UOC Kryvyi Rih Eparchy marks 30th anniversary
Metropolitan Yefrem led the anniversary Divine Liturgy in Kryvyi Rih.
Ostapenko: Everyone in UCCRO feels fine except the “FSB UOC”
The director of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra National Reserve called the All-Ukrainian Council of Churches “a wonderful organization.”
Khmelnytskyi Eparchy donates funds for treatment of 12-year-old girl
UOC believers raised UAH 20,000 for Anastasiia Mamchur as part of an eparchial charity campaign.
Shevchuk: We had to convince world UOC ban does not violate religious freedom
The UGCC head claims that by banning the UOC, the state is not violating religious freedom but merely protecting the Church’s faithful from Moscow propaganda.
Lavra reserve head estimates damage to Dormition Cathedral at €15 million
Maksym Ostapenko said restoring the Dormition Cathedral would take at least a couple of years and require major funding.