MP Guz plans to expel Volodymyr-Volyn Diocese of the UOC from chapel on the territory of the seized cathedral

Ukrainian MP Ihor Huz has announced the upcoming eviction of the Volodymyr-Volyn Diocese of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church from the chapel of St. Prince Volodymyr, located near the Holy Dormition Cathedral of the UOC in Volodymyr, which was previously seized from the Church by the state. According to the deputy, the religious organization occupies the historic building without any legal grounds, contracts or permits, which is an unauthorized seizure of a religious building.

According to the BUG news agency, the chapel in honor of Prince Volodymyr, built in 1892, is located in the center of the ancient city of Volodymyr. Deputy Guz stressed that its occupation by the clergy and believers of the Vladimir-Volyn Diocese of the UOC, whose Holy Dormition Cathedral was previously taken away from them, is absolutely illegal, and therefore the religious organization should be removed from using the territory of the chapel.

The deputy stated that he had already sent official appeals to the state and law enforcement agencies of Ukraine, including the Prosecutor General’s Office, demanding that they take the measures provided for by law. The purpose of these actions is to «free the building from the illegal presence» of the clergy and believers of the UOC.

The deputy emphasizes that the Ukrainian shrine of the late nineteenth century cannot remain under the control of a structure that, in his words, «spiritually and ideologically depends on the aggressor state.» He expresses hope for a prompt response from the competent authorities and the adoption of legal decisions that will allow the chapel to be returned to the legal use of the community of Volodymyr.

«I expect a quick response and legal action. And I believe that soon this chapel will once again hold services in the Ukrainian language, as it should be in a Ukrainian city,» BUH quotes Ihor Huz as saying in his Facebook post.

As reported, on the morning of October 10, 2025, the executive service initiated the process of forced eviction of the Volodymyr-Volyn Diocese of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church from the complex of occupied premises, which includes the Holy Dormition Cathedral, the diocesan administration and the theological school. The police cordoned off the area and did not allow believers to enter the church, while an «inventory of property» was conducted in the Cathedral itself. Later, the church and other premises were sealed and access to them was restricted.