“In persecution, we take the test of our faith to Christ”

Father Dimitry Ivanusa on the doorsteps of his church, October 2022. Photo: Deacon Serhiy Heruk

The long-suffering Cherkasy Eparchy headed by Metropolitan Theodosiy (Snihirev) bears a true cross of trials. It seems that all the forces of hell have risen against this blessed Orthodox land, with monasteries and churches where monks, believers, clergy, and bishops of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church pray and serve. The violent seizure of St. Michael's Cathedral on 17 October of this year, involving the beating of people, priests and Metropolitan Theodosiy, marked the climax of lawlessness, as militant armed thugs with firearms, batons, and tear gas, led by schismatics from the OCU and local authorities, commit injustices before the eyes of all Ukraine and abroad, as reported by numerous national and international media.

The day before this bandit attack, an UOJ correspondent visited the Cherkasy Eparchy. On 4 October, it was exactly one year since the seizure of the Church of St. Seraphim of Sarov in the town of Drabiv by the henchmen of the OCU. We had the opportunity to be in this church two years ago and meet its rector, Archpriest Dimitry Ivanusa. Most importantly, we visited a unique nursing home on the outskirts of the town and wrote about it. We spoke with Father Dimitry, and this conversation with the priest of the Cherkasy Eparchy illustrates the spirit and faith of the eparchy’s clergy.

Father Dimitry Ivanusa at the courtyard of the nursing home, where services are held after the church seizure

Archpriest Dimitry Ivanusa, the dean of the church district, has served in Drabiv for over 20 years. Thanks to his efforts, The Church of St. Seraphim of Sarov was built, alongside which a remarkable Sunday school building was constructed.

During the summer months, an Orthodox camp operated here, welcoming up to 100 children in season. The church courtyard resembles a blooming oasis, with the Sunday school room designed in a folk style, featuring a large mural along the entire length of the wall depicting a Ukrainian village with traditional clay houses, wells and watermills.

What signs of the "Russian world" have the schismatic nationalists discovered here? Services are conducted in Church Slavonic, originating from St. Prince Vladimir (10th century), while sermons and the priest's communication with the community are naturally in Ukrainian. According to linguistic studies, only 1.7 percent of the nearly 8,000 residents of Drabiv use Russian in everyday life. But this is not what matters most.

What is important is the atmosphere of the parish; in the actions and words of Father Dimitry, you won’t find a single political note. Everything is dedicated to serving God. This is characteristic of the entire canonical Ukrainian Orthodox Church, which has 11,000 parishes (down from 12,000 before the seizures by schismatics over the past two years), more than 200 monasteries, theological schools, seminaries and the Kyiv Theological Academy.

Communication with Fr Dimitry evokes great affection in all who approach him. A soft smile, an affectionate gaze of blue eyes in which love shines.

According to Father Dimitry, he has long been troubled by the plight of destitute elderly people and disabled individuals living out their lives in poverty and loneliness. The words of Christ from the Gospel continually resonated in his soul: “And whoever gives one of these little ones a cup of cold water in the name of a disciple, truly I say to you, he will by no means lose his reward…” (Matthew 10:42). And the holy apostle clarified this word of the Savior: “You have faith, and I have works; show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works” (James 2:18).

After listening for hours to the sorrows of elderly people during confessions, the priest became convinced that something needed to be done to help them! Thus, over time, a home for destitute elderly people and the disabled came into being.

– Father Dimitry, could you tell us how a year ago you survived the seizure of the temple built by your labours and flock?

– Probably as the Apostle Paul said: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13). Of course, it was difficult. But we know that everything in our lives happens according to God’s will or His permission. What is happening now is sent by the Lord to strengthen our faith. I am grateful to God that I had the opportunity to suffer a little for Christ and to testify to my faith in Him. This is the most important thing. These robbers think they have taken a beautifully built church, but they have only taken stones… The grace of God, St. Seraphim, has departed from there. Where there is injustice, evil, theft, violence, and the cries of people, the Lord cannot be present among robbers. Remember how St. Luke writes: “They drove Him out of the city and led Him to the brow of the hill on which their city was built, that they might throw Him down over the cliff; but He passing through the midst of them went His way” (Luke 4:29-30). Here, they are seizing churches, twisting people’s arms, using weapons and tear gas; what are they thinking of? They are driven by malice, aggression and hatred for our Church. And thus, hatred for Christ. Therefore, I am thankful to God for strengthening me and our faithful parishioners during these trials.

– Father, how did your charges at the nursing home, the disabled, perceive these events? Many of them are quite feeble, some cannot walk, and some are completely blind.

Father daily visiting the residents of the nursing home for the elderly

– When the church was seized, I was there with my wife, Mother Olha, as we were addressing current issues at the home. When I was informed about the raid, the residents somehow learnt about it, likely through phone calls. They were crying and comforting me… I immediately rushed to the church. There, a so-called "chaplain-priest" from the OCU was in charge. Upon arrival, I saw that among the raiders was the secretary of the local self-government, Volodymyr Myroshnyk, who was observing the actions of the raiders.

– What went through your mind when you arrived at the church to see the broken doors and thugs in camouflage with balaclavas?

– At that moment, the words of the Gospel echoed in my soul: “…fear not, for these things must come to pass…” (Matthew 24). “Today is your hour, and the power of darkness…” (Luke 22:53). This is our reality today, a time of lawlessness and dark deeds. Alas…

– But do you not lose hope that these trials will end?

– As our Bishop Theodosiy (who cares deeply for the entire flock of the Cherkasy region and the whole Church of Christ in Ukraine, suffering persecution from the authorities while under temporary arrest but still communicating with the faithful) constantly reminds us, “Everything has a beginning and an end. And the trials of our faith will be crowned with a crown of truth. Because Christ is with us.”

Read also