A dispute over ownership of the St. Michael’s Cathedral of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church and a number of other diocesan properties is being heard in Cherkasy

In Cherkasy, the Commercial Court is hearing a case regarding ownership of a complex of church buildings, including St. Michael’s Cathedral of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, which was previously forcibly seized from the Cherkasy Diocese of the UOC. It is alleged that the state registration of ownership rights to the disputed property had previously been revoked, and now the issue of the legality of such actions and the possible recognition of ownership rights for another religious organization will be resolved in court.

According to attorney Nikita Chekman, Case No. 925/1119/26 is pending before the Cherkasy Regional Economic Court, in which the OCU religious organization—“St. Michael’s Garrison Parish”— — is seeking recognition of its ownership rights to a complex of church buildings. The listed properties include St. Michael’s Cathedral, the diocesan administration building, an orphanage, other churches, chapels, and auxiliary structures.

It is reported that since 2018, this complex has been privately owned by the Administration of the Cherkasy Diocese of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC). However, in March 2024, the state registration of ownership was revoked by Order No. 611/5 of the Ministry of Justice of Ukraine. At the same time, according to the author of the appeal, the legality of the revocation is being contested in the Kyiv Economic Court (Case No. 910/8339/26).

The petition specifically emphasizes the position that the OCU, as a religious organization, allegedly did not participate in the construction of the aforementioned facilities and did not finance their creation. At the same time, the attorney states, the OCU has already filed a lawsuit seeking recognition of its ownership rights to the properties as an unauthorized construction complex.

It is also noted that, in the opinion of the UOC’s legal team, the disputed property complex was built over many years, in particular using donations from believers of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church. In this regard, a procedural issue is highlighted: The Administration of the Cherkasy Diocese of the UOC, previously registered as the owner of the disputed property, was not joined as a party to the case, and, it is alleged, the court denied the motion to join the administration as a third party.

As the appeal states, the refusal to involve the administration in the proceedings essentially deprived it of the opportunity to provide explanations, present evidence, and defend its own legal position, even though the subject of the dispute is property for which its ownership had previously been registered. In conclusion, the petition emphasizes the need to consider the matter with the participation of all interested parties.

It is reported that the hearing in the case is scheduled for October 29, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. Venue: Cherkasy Regional Economic Court, 307 Shevchenko Boulevard, Cherkasy. It is noted that the case is being heard by Judge O.V. Chevguz.