Chernihiv Eparchy files a lawsuit over demand to leave a number of churches

The Cathedral of the Transfiguration and the complexes of the Trinity and Eletsky monasteries. Photo: suspilne.media

Acting General Director of the National Architectural and Historical Reserve "Chernihiv Ancient" Volodymyr Khomich said that the Chernihiv Eparchy of the UOC has filed a claim in the Commercial Court of the Chernihiv Region against the NAHR "Chernihiv Ancient" because of the demand to leave the monasteries of the reserve, reports suspilne.media.

It concerns the Trinity and Eletsky monasteries, as well as the Saviour Transfiguration Cathedral, which are located on the territory of the reserve "Chernihiv Ancient".

The Uniform Register of Court Decisions has registered three statements of claim from the Chernihiv Eparchy of the UOC, in which the Church requests the court to recognize the agreements for the lease of premises with "Chernihiv Ancient" as renewed.

The court hearings are scheduled for April 11, 2023.

The National Architectural and Historical Reserve "Chernihiv Ancient" appealed to the UOC with a request "up to and including March 27, 2023, to return the property of the reserve in connection with the expiration of the term of free use. In fact, the letter stated a request to vacate these buildings.

The Chernihiv Eparchy of the UOC stated that they have the right to use the churches free of charge, referring to the Law of Ukraine "On Freedom of Conscience and Religious Organizations", to which the reserve replied that the law has changed and new agreements must be concluded but already under the terms of the lease.

On March 23, the spokesperson of the Chernihiv Eparchy Ihor Pidan said that the Chernihiv Eparchy submitted the documents to the National Architectural and Historical Reserve "Chernihiv Ancient" from March 6 to 12 but there is still no answer.

Khomich confirmed that the documents were sent to the reserve and said that representatives of the Chernihiv Eparchy were sent to the State Property Fund to sign the contracts.

As reported earlier, the Chernihiv Eparchy said that the UOC uses the monasteries of the reserve legally.

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