OCU cleric gives Zelensky 24 hours to apologize for Tomos

Dediukhin at Phanar with Poroshenko and Patriarch Bartholomew

Oleg Dediukhin, the “priest” of the “Orthodox Church of Ukraine”, known for his loyal support of Petro Poroshenko, posted a video message on Facebook to the presidential candidate Vladimir Zelensky. Dediukhin, referring to the opponent unceremoniously, demanded an apology to "millions of Orthodox Ukrainians" for his calling Tomos as a thermos. The "priest" gave him 24 hours to make apologies.

“I can always ask a question to the President of Ukraine, Petro Poroshenko, without any problem,” reports Dediukhin. “Now I have another question to another presidential candidate, Vladimir Zelensky. When you insulted the feelings of Muslim believers, you apologized to them. Do you have enough spirit to apologize before the millions of Orthodox Ukrainians, whose Tomos you dared call a thermos?! And are you ready to answer this question at all?”

In a text-based Facebook publication, the clergyman of the OCU announced that “Ze dug into the territory of the Church and trampled with his dirty paws on the centuries-old aspirations of the faithful Ukrainians. Dediukhin also said that he considers Zelensky a nonentity and despises him for the “lack of a sense of humor, for stupidity and many more things. To the questions of admirers why he addresses the presidential candidate in the second person singular, which is unpolite, Dediukhin said, “This is how I address God, so why should I care more about the third-rate buffoon?

Recall, after the first round of elections Dediukhin said, "Now it is 40/60 in favor of Zelensky but we will win." He also stated that “Poroshenko’s gravest mistake was that he stopped the war too far,” and “95 Quarter (Zelensky-led show program – Ed.) was not hit by either mines or missiles.”

Read also

ROCOR Priest Reflects on Trip to Capitol Hill

Archpriest Victor Boldewskul participated in the Society of St. John of Shanghai and San Francisco's Day of Action to raise awareness about the persecution of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church.

Hundreds of Chinese Christians Arrested in Pre-Christmas Crackdown

Hundreds of Chinese Christians face spending Christmas in detention after authorities launched a sweeping pre-holiday crackdown on churches under Beijing’s campaign to control religious life.

Ukraine Adviser: UOC Not Banned, but Offered a 'Choice' of Jurisdictions

A Ukrainian presidential adviser said the UOC is not banned but pressured to choose between joining the OCU, submitting to Constantinople, or remaining unregistered, while dismissing international concerns as propaganda.

Indiana Reports 98% Drop in Abortions Under Stricter Law

Indiana’s latest health report shows a 98% drop in reported abortions under stricter laws, though dozens still occurred under legal exceptions and concerns persist about unreported pill abortions.

Armenian Apostolic Church Pushes Back on Political Encroachment

The Armenian Apostolic Church plans to appeal to international bodies to resist government interference and defend its clergy and sacred relics.

Attempted Takeover at Armenian Etchmiadzin Cathedral Thwarted by Faithful

Supporters of Armenian PM Pashinyan attempted to storm Etchmiadzin Cathedral amid calls for the Catholicos’s resignation but were blocked by parishioners and security.