Court transfers Pochaiv Holy Spirit Skete complex of the UOC to the state

Pochaiv Holy Spirit Skete Monastery. Photo: Raskolam

On August 14, 2024, the Commercial Court of Ternopil Oblast ruled to expropriate the complex of buildings belonging to the Pochaiv Holy Spirit Skete Monastery of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC), according to a statement from the court's press service.

The court based its decision on the claim that the transfer of the architectural monument buildings to the Holy Spirit Pochaiv Monastery of the UOC was conducted with violations.

The Ternopil Regional Military (State) Administration filed a lawsuit against the local authorities, asserting that their decision to recognize the UOC's ownership of the Pochaiv Holy Spirit Monastery complex violated state interests.

The court ruled that decisions regarding the management of religious buildings or property are the exclusive authority of regional state administrations. Local self-government bodies do not have the authority to manage religious buildings or property. Consequently, the court declared the local authority's decision to recognize the UOC's ownership of the Pochaiv Holy Spirit Monastery complex as illegal, canceling both the state registration of these rights and the certificate issued to confirm them (Decision of the Commercial Court of Ternopil Oblast dated 14.08.2024 in case No. 921/788/23).

As previously reported by the Union of Orthodox Journalists (UOJ), Acting Minister of Culture Rostyslav Karandeyev stated that the Ministry is working on transferring the Pochaiv and Sviatohirsk Lavras to state ownership.

Read also

UOC hierarch leads funeral service for Kyiv Eparchy priest killed at front

Metropolitan Augustine conducted the funeral service for Archpriest Viacheslav Lytvynenko, a longtime military chaplain.

Orthodox youth from across Ukraine meet in Kyiv

The UOC meetup brought participants from different eparchies to the capital for live fellowship and dialogue on spiritual topics.

Khmelnytskyi Eparchy choir performs hymn by Patriarch Ilia

The choir of the Khmelnytskyi Eparchy performed a sacred work by Patriarch Ilia on the day commemorating his repose.

Metropolitan Shio: Patriarch Ilia II’s love became a source of faith and hope

In Georgia, Metropolitan Shio said in his sermon on the 40th day after Patriarch Ilia II’s repose that his love and ministry became a source of faith, hope, and spiritual renewal for the people.

Orthodox Christians in U.S.: “War on Faith” bill ignores persecution of UOC

The St. John of Shanghai and San Francisco Society has accused Congressmen Joe Wilson and Don Bacon of “double standards” in drafting a religious freedom bill concerning Ukraine.

UOC Social Department in Kyiv delivers aid to 100 displaced families

In Kyiv, displaced families received humanitarian aid, food and household packages, as well as Paschal greetings from the UOC Social Department.