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.
Read also
Media shows conditions in which persecuted communities of Volyn have to pray
After their churches were seized, UOC faithful are compelled to pray in poorly equipped facilities.
UOC parishioner fined for comments about OCU in Rivne Region
The defendant fully admitted his guilt.
Ministry of Culture attempts to conduct inventory at Pochaiv Lavra
A monastery representative reminded officials that the Lavra fulfills its contractual obligations and uses the property for its intended purpose.
Cherkasy Prosecutor's Office demands seizure of UOC church in Horodyshche
The Cherkasy Regional Economic Court has initiated proceedings upon the prosecutor's lawsuit, with a court hearing already scheduled.
Reserve Director: Relics are exhibits handled by anthropologists
The Chernihiv Reserve's director assured that after the expulsion of the UOC community from the Trinity Cathedral, the relics of the saints have been registered as state property.
Chernihiv official: Nuns are deluded they will stay in convents forever
The director of the Chernihiv Reserve believes that the nuns are illegally residing in the convent and are "propaganda captives".