Met. Theodosiy Remains Under Court Restriction for Two More Months
Cherkasy court has extended a preventative measure imposed against Met. Theodosiy for two months amid criminal proceedings he and his defense call baseless.
CHERKASY, UKRAINE — On December 26, 2025, the Sosnivskyi District Court in Cherkasy extended the preventive measure against Met. Theodosiy (Snihiriov) of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC) in four ongoing criminal cases for an additional two months. The extension, reported by Suspilne, maintains the hierarch under a personal obligation.
Prosecutor Kateryna Kostenko argued for the extension, citing a “risk of evading the court” and claiming that Metropolitan Theodosiy could unlawfully influence victims and witnesses, obstruct proceedings, or commit further crimes. She also stated that the UOC hierarch allegedly holds Ukrainophobic views and harbors a negative attitude toward Ukrainian authorities and society.
Defense attorney Volodymyr Yudin rejected these claims as formalistic and contrived, noting that similar arguments had been previously addressed without affecting the preventive measure. Metropolitan Theodosiy himself supported his defense, calling the accusations groundless and a mockery directed at him and the Church.
The next hearing in the case is scheduled for January 13, 2026.
Previously, the UOJ reported that Met. Theodosiy's condition worsened in November after suspected poisoning.
