Chernihiv deputies do not vote for transferring church in Korop to OCU
The Ascension Church in Korop. Photo: Suspilne
On 16 December, during a meeting of the Chernihiv Regional Council, the deputies did not vote in favor of transferring the Ascension Church in Korop, a protected architectural monument, to the Orthodox Church of Ukraine (OCU) for long-term free use, reports Suspilne.
The chairperson of the regional council, Olena Dmytrenko, explained that legal proceedings regarding the ownership of the church are still ongoing. Prior to the vote, an amendment "after the conclusion of the legal processes" was added to the draft resolution, but the motion did not receive enough votes – only 25 deputies supported it.
It was reported that activists from the OCU submitted a request to the regional council asking for the church to be transferred to the jurisdiction of Epifaniy Dumenko's structure. Tetiana Nazarchuk, the initiator of the appeal, stated that there are no documents confirming the church’s ownership and, in her view, the UOC community is illegally occupying the temple.
Serhiy Svyrydov, Deputy Head of the Communal Property Department of the Chernihiv Regional Council, reported that in March 2024, the court ordered the regional council to register property rights for the church. However, this decision was appealed in the appellate court, and as of the time of the vote, questions regarding the building's ownership – whether state or municipal – were still being clarified.
The transfer of the church for long-term use will only be possible after a final court ruling. Furthermore, an agreement with the Ministry of Culture will be required to sign a contract, as the Ascension Church is a national cultural heritage monument.
A similar situation concerns several other religious sites in the Chernihiv region. According to Svyrydov, as of March 2024, 16 cases regarding religious property are being heard in court.
As reported by the UOJ, the Supreme Court denied the UOC the right to use the cathedral in Chernihiv.
Read also
Supreme Court opens appeal in case of UOC’s Korets Monastery
The court has begun considering the UOC monastery’s appeal against the ruling on its liquidation, filed in a lawsuit by the State Service for Ethnopolitics and Freedom of Conscience.
Patriarchs Bartholomew and John X meet at the Phanar
Patriarch John X of Antioch arrived at the Phanar, where he met with Patriarch Bartholomew and discussed issues concerning inter-Orthodox relations.
Christian tortured for converting to Christianity in Egypt
An Egyptian Christian convert from Islam was allegedly tortured in prison, hung in a crucifixion position and denied food and medical care.
King of England: Christian faith is a firm anchor and community guide
King Charles III spoke of the role of Christian faith as a pillar of society and called for support for Ukraine in achieving a just and lasting peace.
Dumenko: We pray for Filaret so that no one from Muscovy will rule over us
The head of the OCU held a memorial “service” for Filaret at St. Volodymyr’s Cathedral on the 40th day after his death.
Georgian Synod names three candidates for patriarchal throne
The Holy Synod of the Georgian Church, with 38 hierarchs taking part, shortlisted three candidates to be presented for the final election of the Patriarch.