Lawyers secure recusal of judge in Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra case
The Church of St. Agapitus of the Caves. Photo: Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra
The lawyer for the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra, Archpriest Nikita Chekman, announced on his Telegram channel that the defense succeeded in removing a biased judge from the panel of judges handling the Lavra case. A session of the Northern Commercial Court of Appeal in Kyiv addressed the issue of terminating the lease agreement for the monastery's use of the Lower Lavra.
“It was revealed that one of the judges recently assigned to our case had previously issued a ruling in another church-related matter, in which she explicitly stated that the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC) is ‘part of the Russian Orthodox Church (ROC).’ Thus, the respected judge officially referred to the UOC as the ‘Moscow Patriarchate’ in a court decision,” Chekman explained.
The defense filed for recusal, arguing that such a judge could not objectively consider a case involving the UOC and the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra. The panel of judges agreed and granted the motion for recusal, directing the case for reassignment through an automated distribution system.
As previously reported by the UOJ, the court hearing on evicting the monks from the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra has been postponed.
Read also
Military recruitment officers detain UOC priest in Khmelnytskyi Eparchy
Archpriest Volodymyr Sereda, a father of five and parish rector in Korchivka, was reportedly taken to Teofipol and sent for a military medical examination.
Israeli authorities plan to entrust Al-Aqsa security to religious Jewish activists
Police have begun recruiting religious Jews and far-right activists as part of efforts to strengthen Israeli control over the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in Jerusalem.
Yelensky: Now churches oppose LGBT but will compromise for EU integration
Ukraine’s top official on religious affairs, Viktor Yelenskyi, said tensions over LGBT issues are inevitable, but churches may eventually compromise on LGBT-related issues as Ukraine advances toward EU membership.
Moldovan Church reports media attack on its primate
The Moldovan Orthodox Church said negative media coverage of Metropolitan Vladimir is the first stage of a broader campaign aimed at discrediting the Church and undermining its authority in society.
MPs accuse soldier of religious hostility over anti-migrant rally
A Ukrainian veteran said lawmakers’ complaint against him over an anti-migrant rally was an attempt to intimidate the military community and silence public criticism of sensitive social issues.
Poroshenko's party says the Word of God in UOC is “enemy bullet”
Members of European Solidarity claim that the Word of God in the hands of a patriot is a shield, while in the mouth of a “Moscow priest” it is an enemy bullet.