OCU Activist Displays Simulated Severed Heads of UOC Bishops in Video

KYIV — Activist David Pshenichny recorded a video during a protest outside a court hearing concerning the Upper Lavra of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra in which he portrayed the severed heads of hierarchs of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC).

In the video, Pshenichny displayed red jars containing portraits of Orthodox bishops, presenting them as simulated severed heads. He said the jars represented “all that remains of them (the Metropolitans).”

Pshenichny claimed that the display symbolized what “every conscientious Ukrainian” supposedly dreams of doing to UOC hierarchs. He added that “good people must wait for better times to cleanse Ukraine,” without explaining whom he meant by “good people.”

The video was recorded during a protest outside court hearing concerning the Upper Lavra. As reported by UOJ-Ukraine, Pshenichny has regularly participated in demonstrations directed against the UOC and has also been involved in confrontations surrounding the Church.

UOC lawyer Archpriest Nikita Chekman previously reported that activists had blocked members of his legal team in a cafe during an air raid and subjected them to violent pressure during proceedings concerning the Upper Lavra.

Pshenichny wielded a pistol during the seizure of a cathedral in Cherkasy in 2024 and has repeatedly confronted Metr. Theodosy of Cherkasy.

Previously, the UOJ reported that a Kyiv court hearing on the Upper Lavra drew both supporters of the UOC and OCU radicals.