A court ruled that the re-registration of a religious community of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church in the Volyn Oblast was unlawful

The Northern Economic Court of Appeals ruled in favor of the St. Nicholas Religious Community of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC) in the village of Voloshky, Kovel District, overturning the procedure for its forced transfer to the OCU. According to UOC attorney Nikita Chekman, the appellate court upheld the community’s appeal, thereby confirming the illegality of the organization’s re-registration.

The conflict arose over decisions made on October 8, 2023, when, at so-called “general meetings,” the community’s denominational affiliation was changed, a revised charter was approved, and the corresponding state registration procedures were carried out. Representatives of the UOC challenged these actions, pointing out that the vote was conducted by individuals who did not have the legal status of members of the religious community.

In his legal argument, the attorney emphasized that the right to change the community’s affiliation belongs exclusively to valid members of the religious organization. The mere fact that individuals reside within a specific locality does not provide them with legal grounds to participate in the management of the religious community’s internal affairs. The trial court, which heard the case on May 29, 2025, had previously dismissed the claim; however, the appellate court found the believers’ arguments to be well-founded.

As a reminder, the Northern Economic Court of Appeals ruled in favor of the community of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC) in the case concerning the Church of the Nativity of the Most Holy Mother of God in the town of Ivankiv, Kyiv Oblast. The appellate court overturned the previous decision of the court of first instance, fully granting the rector’s claims, and invalidated the revised charter on the basis of which the religious community had been re-registered with the OCU. This decision marks the return of the shrine to the legitimate community of the UOC.