Appeals court upholds ban on UOC occupying churches in Chernihiv

On July 23, 2024, the Northern Economic Court of Appeal dismissed the appeal of the Administration of the Chernihiv Diocese of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church against the decision of the Economic Court of Chernihiv Region to ban the UOC from occupying and using churches that are under the jurisdiction of the Chernihiv Ancient Historical and Architectural Reserve. This is reported by the website of the Ministry of Culture and Information Policy of Ukraine.

“The claims of the Administration of the Chernihiv Diocese of the UOC to extend the contracts for the free use of architectural monuments of national importance, in particular the Yelets Monastery, the Transfiguration Cathedral and the complex of buildings of the Trinity Monastery, within the National Architectural and Historical Reserve “Chernihiv Ancient” were rejected,” – the Ministry of Culture said in a statement.

As we reported earlier, on June 28, 2024, the “opening” of the ancient Transfiguration Cathedral of Chernihiv, which was taken away from the Chernihiv Diocese of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church in October 2023, took place in the format of a museum. It is reported that from now on, the entrance to the church will be paid, and there are no plans to hold services there anymore.