Holy Trinity Cathedral in Chernihiv may be transferred to permanent use of OCU

The OCU may be granted permanent use of the Holy Trinity Cathedral in Chernihiv. Currently, the Chernihiv Diocese of the OCU rents the cathedral, which is a monument of national importance, for a significant amount of money. These changes come after the cathedral was taken away from the Chernihiv Eparchy of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC) in October 2023 due to an allegedly overdue lease agreement.

According to Suspilne, the head of the Chernihiv diocese of the OCU, Anthony Firley, confirmed that the OCU diocese is seeking to obtain the cathedral for permanent use. Currently, religious events are held in the church on Sundays, holidays, and Wednesdays, which is about 20 times a month. The current rent for the use of the cathedral is about 25 thousand hryvnias.

Firley noted that in accordance with the new legislation, which allows religious organizations to use state property free of charge, the OCU is working with the Ministry of Culture and the National Architectural and Historical Reserve “Chernihiv Ancient” for the full and permanent use of the church.

As we reported earlier, on January 21, 2026, the Economic Court of Chernivtsi region ruled that the Administration of the Chernivtsi-Bukovyna Diocese of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC) is obliged to vacate and transfer the Holy Spirit Cathedral, as well as the hotel and boiler room located at 85 Holovna Street, Chernivtsi, to the OCU. The court’s decision is to be enforced with the signing of an act of acceptance and transfer of property.