Cherkasy, Cherkasy Province, Ukraine, February 14, 2025
Photo: cherkasy.church.ua
A well-known hierarch of the Greek Orthodox Church made a strong show of support this week for the persecuted canonical Ukrainian Orthodox Church, sending a precious relic for the consolation of the faithful.
On February 12, the feast of the Three Holy Hierarchs, the shoe of St. Spyridon of Tremithus arrived at the Church of the Three Holy Hierarchs in Cherkasy, Ukraine, sent by His Eminence Metropolitan Nektarios of Corfu, reports the Cherkasy Diocese.
Every year, the clergy in Corfu have to change St. Spyridon’s worn-out shoes, because the Holy Hierarch walks around the world working wonders. These shoes are then sent to Orthodox churches and monasteries for the veneration of the faithful.
The holy shoe of St. Spyridon was brought to the church by His Eminence Metropolitan Theodosy, who celebrated the Divine Liturgy for the patronal feast together with his vicar bishops, His Eminence Archbishop John of Zolotonosha and His Grace Bishop Anthony of Korsun.
Met. Nektarios has been an outspoken 
Greek Metropolitan Nektarios of Corfu: We recognize only the canonical Ukrainian Church (+ VIDEO)“We are pleased to welcome you, Your Eminence, on your birthday, on an island where there are many saints are venerated, and especially the Holy Hierarch Spyridon. We pray that the Lord will help your Church overcome the difficulties connected with the Church schism and disorder,” Met. Nektarios said, showing the true love that always exists between the best representatives of the Greek and Slavic Orthodox traditions.
“>defender of canonical Orthodoxy in Ukraine and lovingly sent the holy relic to support the Cherkasy Diocese, where Met. Theodosy and the clergy and faithful are especially suffering.
Photo: cherkasy.church.ua
Together with the relic, Met. Nektarios from the Greek Church also sent a letter of love and support to Met. Theodosy:
Most Reverend Holy Brother!
With great joy, we address you to respectfully inform you that we are transferring to you an “Emvada”—a shoe from St. Spyridon the Wonderworker—defender and patron of Corfu, who is deeply venerated by our local Church.
After all necessary arrangements with the holy Church of St. Spyridon, but above all especially appreciating your piety, we present to you as a precious gift the shoe of our Spirit-bearing and most holy defender and patron; a holy relic that represents a priceless and inexhaustible spiritual treasure, for the blessing, sanctification, and support of the faithful souls in your holy Metropolis, and for your personal support, respected Vladyka!
This gesture is an example of our solidarity with your faithful who are experiencing trials, and a gesture of support for the canonical Orthodox Church, headed by Metropolitan Onuphry of Kiev and All Ukraine.
Sympathizing with your trials, including your arrest and legal persecution, we also grieve the news about the forceful seizure of your cathedral three months ago.
We pray to our saint to endow you with courage and strength! Taking the opportunity of our communication, I wish you all the best, and may our Lord, through the prayers of our father among the saints Spyridon, grant you strong spiritual and physical health and strengthen you in your difficult ministry!
Photo: cherkasy.church.ua
As mentioned by Met. Nektarios, on Violent seizure of Orthodox cathedral in Cherkasy leaves dozens injured (+VIDEO)The anti-Orthodox schismatics and nationalists of the “Orthodox Church in Ukraine” (OCU), founded by Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople, finally managed to violently seize the Archangel Michael Cathedral in Cherkasy after several attempts.
“>October 17, representatives of the schismatic “Orthodox Church of Ukraine” launched what has been perhaps the most violent and bloody attack on canonical Orthodox Christians yet, seizing the Archangel Michael Cathedral in Cherkasy. Met. Theodosy and dozens of others were Metropolitan Theodosy diagnosed with burns and concussion after violent seizure of Cherkasy cathedral (+VIDEO)Metropolitan Theodosy of Cherkasy and Kanev was severely injured. During the attack, he was beaten, his klobuk was torn off, and his bishop’s staff was snatched away and used to strike believers.”>seriously injured.
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Source: Orthodox Christianity
