Chernivtsi mayor claims churches allegedly belong to the OCU according to the law

Chernivtsi Mayor Roman Klichuk stated that the Holy Spirit Cathedral of the UOC, as well as churches on Ruska and Storozhynetska Streets, are “legally” registered to the Orthodox Church of Ukraine (OCU). The statement was made during a press conference. This was reported by the Chernivtsi Promin news outlet.

According to Klichuk, the issue must be resolved strictly in accordance with current legislation. He reiterated the official position of the city authorities, claiming that the mentioned religious sites are “legally” affiliated with the OCU, and that all agreements with religious communities of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church regarding land use rights have been terminated.

“The gatherings of parishioners were held lawfully, they voted, and these churches are currently registered to the Orthodox Church of Ukraine. From here, it’s up to law enforcement or the courts. I believe we all must act in accordance with the law. If they are officially affiliated with the OCU, then they must remain with the OCU,” Klichuk stated.

It is worth recalling that Volodymyr Zelensky awarded the Order of Merit to Ivan Chokalyuk, a “chaplain” and relative of the head of the OCU, who actively participated in the attempted forcible seizure of the Holy Spirit Cathedral of the UOC in Chernivtsi. The award was presented on the occasion of Ukraine’s Constitution Day.