Worshippers Of Rival Orthodox Churches Clash For Control Of Ukrainian Cathedral

Violent clashes erupted between parishioners from rival Orthodox churches on October 17 as they battled for control of St. Michael's Cathedral in the central Ukrainian city of Cherkasy. The standoff came after the first midnight Mass was held in the Ukrainian language by worshippers of the Orthodox Church of Ukrainian (OCU). But believers from the rival Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC), which has long been linked to the Russian church, took over the building and barricaded themselves inside. They used tear gas to fend off attempts to evict them. The cathedral, which has been designated a garrison church for Ukraine's armed forces, was eventually taken back by OCU parishioners when police arrived.