Cherkasy Prosecutor's Office demands seizure of UOC church in Horodyshche

St. Michael's Church. Photo: Raskolam.net

The Smila District Prosecutor’s Office in Cherkasy Region has announced plans to expropriate St. Michael's Church, which belongs to the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC), reports the Cherkasy Information Platform.

The case concerns a church in the Cherkasy Eparchy of the UOC, located in the town of Horodyshche. Built in 1844, the church is a national architectural landmark designed in the neo-Gothic style by Italian architect Giorgio Torricelli. It resembles a Catholic cathedral and features a unique 19th-century fresco titled “The Last Judgment” that spans over 100 square meters.

According to prosecutors, in May 2018, ownership of the church was registered under the St. Michael's Parish religious community of the UOC, based on a 1989 decision by the local executive committee. However, the prosecutors argue that this decision did not explicitly transfer ownership of the landmark to the religious organization.

The Economic Court of Cherkasy Region has opened proceedings in the case filed by the prosecutor's office, and a court hearing has been scheduled.

As previously reported by the UOJ, Metropolitan Theodosiy urged security forces not to participate in the persecution of the Church.

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