UOC metropolitan addressing UN calls for return of Cherkasy cathedral

On March 28, 2025, Metropolitan Theodosiy (Snigirev) of Cherkasy and Kaniv delivered a speech at the United Nations during the 58th Regular Session of the UN Human Rights Council, under the agenda item concerning the report of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights on the situation in Ukraine, according to The Public Advocacy website.

In the presence of Human Rights Council President Jürg Lauber, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk, diplomats from UN member states, and representatives of international organizations, the metropolitan stated that a crime had been committed in Ukraine against UOC believers. He described the violent seizure of the UOC cathedral in Cherkasy, the brutal beating of worshippers, the use of weapons by the attackers, and the theft of money and other property. He emphasized that the cathedral is the legally registered property of the Cherkasy Eparchy of the UOC, as confirmed by official documentation.

Despite the clear legal evidence of a crime, the metropolitan said, the cathedral has not only been seized but also handed over by the authorities to representatives of another denomination – the “Orthodox Church of Ukraine” – who are now openly holding religious services there.

He called on UN Special Rapporteurs, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, and diplomats of UN member states to help put an end to the widespread crimes against UOC believers. He further suggested that, in light of the start of peace negotiations regarding Ukraine, restoring justice in this case and returning the cathedral to its rightful owner could be the first steps toward ending the persecution of the UOC and restoring the rule of law and human rights in Ukraine.

During the 58th session of the UN Human Rights Council, human rights organizations Public Advocacy and For Human Rights published a written statement on the UN documentation center's website concerning the seizure of the cathedral in Cherkasy. The statement included details of an attempted murder of Metropolitan Theodosiy (Snigirev) during the incident, in which he was struck on the head with a heavy object, causing serious injury. It also reported bodily harm inflicted on numerous UOC believers, along with the theft of money and other property from the cathedral complex.

A detailed account of the violent seizure of the cathedral was included in a joint written statement submitted by human rights organizations with consultative status with the UN Economic and Social Council. This statement was distributed among participants of the 58th session during the debate on “Human Rights Situations that Require the Council’s Attention.”

The full text of the statement is available on the UN documentation center’s website under the number A/HRC/58/NGO/111.

Human rights work on the case of the seizure of the UOC’s St. Michael’s Cathedral in Cherkasy will continue through international courts, UN special procedures, and diplomatic and political dialogue at various levels.

Special attention will be given by human rights lawyers to the issue of imposing sanctions on Ukrainian officials and politicians who allowed human rights violations in this case and failed to ensure the fair return of the property to its legal owner.

Earlier, the UOJ reported that according to the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights’ report from December 31 on the situation in Ukraine covering the period from September to November 2024, Ukraine failed to justify the necessity and proportionality of measures aimed at dissolving religious organizations, including the Ukrainian Orthodox Church.