Court opens proceedings at UOC suit on unlawful registration of OCU centre
District Administrative Court of Kiev. Photo: Radio Svoboda
On June 18, 2019, the District Administrative Court of Kiev moved forward with the administrative proceedings on the basis of the claim of invalidation and annulment of the decision on obligation to perform the actions, filed by the Kiev Metropolis of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, the UOC Legal Department reported on its website. The lawsuit was filed against the Ministry of Culture of Ukraine and the State Registrar of the KP "Legal Assistance and Registration Centre".
The religious centre OCU was registered on January 30, 2019 in the Unified State Register of Legal Entities, Individual Entrepreneurs and Public Organizations of Ukraine under the name “Kiev Metropolis of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (Orthodox Church of Ukraine)”. The Legal Department of the UOC, however, believes that the newly created structure had no legal grounds for registration under this name.
“The so-called newly formed OCU has no reason to be called the Kiev Metropolis of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, not only because there has existed a religious centre with a similar name since 1991, but also because the primary document of title “Tomos”, which they are supposed to respect and implement, has attributed two names to the structure – ‘The Orthodox Church of Ukraine’ (OCU) and ‘The Most Holy Church of Ukraine’,” Archpriest Alexander Bakhov, head of the Legal Department of the UOC, explained back in February 2019.
If the court decides to satisfy the claim, it must cancel the decision on state registration of the legal entity with the name “Kiev Metropolis of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (Orthodox Church of Ukraine)” and the corresponding entry in the Unified State Register of Legal Entities, Individual Entrepreneurs and Public Formations.
Currently, the Kiev Metropolis of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church is preparing to participate in the consideration of this administrative case in order to be able to quickly respond to any legal proceedings to be carried out by other participants in similar trials.
Earlier, Kiev District Administrative Court suspended the process of forced renaming of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church.
Read also
SBU told Phanar many UOC bishops would join OCU in 2018, report says
According to a Phanar representative’s account, Ukrainian security services told the Constantinople delegation that many UOC representatives were prepared to attend the OCU’s “Unification Council.” In the end, only two did.
Catholic cardinal visits Ukrainian POWs during trip to Russia
During three days of consultations in Moscow, Cardinal Matteo Zuppi discussed prospects for ending the war in Ukraine.
Ukrainians help restore Serbian Orthodox church in Paris
Orthodox Ukrainians have become regular parishioners of St. Sava Church in Paris and have taken part in its restoration.
Bulgarian Church clergy and laity oppose Phanar head’s visit
More than 2,000 clergy and laity have called for the Ecumenical Patriarch’s visit to be canceled, citing disagreement with his actions and concerns that the visit could legitimize schism.
Unknown intruders break down doors at two UOC churches in Sloviansk
Archbishop Paisiy said OCU activists are suspected of breaking into the churches in Sloviansk, and police have launched an investigation.
Sviatohirsk Lavra prays for murdered monk on 40th day after death
The brethren of the Sviatohirsk Lavra held a memorial service for murdered Monk Varsonofiy, calling on the faithful to pray for the newly departed monk.