Supreme Court upholds legality of expropriation of Yelets Monastery premises from Chernihiv Eparchy of UOC

On January 16, 2025, the Supreme Court of Ukraine dismissed the claim of the Chernihiv Diocese of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church regarding the right to use the complex of premises of the Holy Trinity Yelets Convent of the XII-XVII centuries. Thus, the court confirmed the previous decisions and orders of the Ministry of Culture regarding these architectural monuments. This is reported by the official website of the Ministry of Culture.

It is reported that the case of the expropriation of the Yelets Monastery from the Chernihiv Diocese of the UOC was considered by courts of various instances, the proceedings lasted almost two years. The final decision in favor of the National Architectural and Historical Reserve “Chernihiv Ancient” confirmed the position of the Ministry of Culture and Strategic Communications on the need to comply with the requirements of the current legislation of Ukraine.

Earlier, Natalia Rebrova, director general of the Chernihiv Ancient Reserve, said that the institution would continue to use the churches of Chernihiv taken from the Ukrainian Orthodox Church not for their intended purpose but for organizing secular and cultural events. Rebrova argues that since these churches are architectural monuments that are a historical heritage, they cannot be used exclusively for worship.