Court demands UOC to hand over 15th century church in Sutkivtsi to state
The UOC church in the village of Sutkivtsi, Khmelnytskyi region. Photo: wikipedia.org
On March 6, 2024, the Khmelnytskyi Court of Appeal ordered the UOC community to vacate the 15th-century church-fortress in the village of Sutkivtsi, Khmelnytskyi Oblast, and "transfer" it to the state. This was reported by the court's press service.
Earlier, the court of first instance ordered the UOC to transfer the church to the state, but its rector disagreed with this decision and filed an appeal.
Representatives of the Khmelnytskyi Regional State Administration stated in court that the UOC community used the church "without any title documents or contracts and did not respond to demands to vacate the premises voluntarily."
At the same time, the judges who made the decision to transfer the church to the state stated that in the village, "there are two communities that can apply to the church owner for permission to use it."
However, the judges did not specify which communities they were referring to and to which denomination they belonged.
As the UOJ reported, the court demanded that the UOC vacate the premises of the Yelets Convent.
Read also
MP calls strike on Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra "beneficial"
The lawmaker said the strike on the monastery became a useful tool against the “routinization” of the war – one Ukraine should take advantage of.
Authorities hold AI conference in Lavra's Refectory Church
Ostapenko said the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra had experienced firsthand how Kremlin bots operate.
Ternopil official who threatened to expel UOC sentenced to 9 years
The Appeals Chamber upheld the sentence against Mykhailo Holovko, who had vowed to evict the monks from the Pochaiv Lavra.
Bandera fresco shown online in Ternopil UGCC cathedral
Stepan Bandera is depicted in a suit on a fresco inside the UGCC cathedral in Ternopil.
Yelensky: There is a risk the UOC could appeal to ECHR and win
The head of DESS suggested the state could lose if European judges see the UOC ban as a violation of freedom of conscience.
Vicar of Khust Eparchy consecrates new chapel in Yasinia
Bishop Mark of Rakhiv performed the rite of consecration of the chapel and thanked all benefactors for their assistance.