Volodymyr-Volyn Diocese of the UOC files an appeal against court decision to expropriate cathedral

The Diocese of Volodymyr-Volyn of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church filed an appeal against the decision of the court of first instance to expropriate the Holy Dormition Cathedral of Volodymyr-Volynskyi, which also houses the diocesan administration and theological school, into state ownership. This is reported by the publication “Suspilne.Lutsk”.

It is reported that on December 30, 2024, at a meeting of the temporary control commission of the regional council, the issue of expropriation of the Cathedral of the Vladimir-Volyn Diocese of the UOC was considered. According to a commentary to the media by a member of the regional council’s specialized commission and a deputy of the Volyn Regional State Administration, Andriy Bokoch, an appeal was filed with the Northwestern Economic Court of Appeal. According to Bokoch, due to the appeal of the Volodymyr-Volyn Diocese of the UOC, the process of “eviction” of the Church from the occupied premises will be delayed.

As reported, on November 12, 2024, the Economic Court of the Volyn Region held a regular hearing in the case of the possible eviction of the Administration of the Volodymyr-Volyn Diocese of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church from the complex of premises of the Holy Dormition Cathedral of Volodymyr-Volynskyi, which also houses the diocesan administration and theological school. The judges ordered the Volodymyr-Volyn Diocese of the UOC to leave the premises and transfer them to the state. The diocese was given 20 days to move out.