DESS: Registration of UOC monastery clones facilitates their transfer to OCU
Andriy Smirnov. Photo: Screenshot from VICHE video
Andriy Smirnov, an external expert of the State Service of Ukraine for Ethnopolitics and Freedom of Conscience (DESS), stated that parallel legal monasteries of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC) are being registered in order to make it easier for the state to transfer them to the ownership of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine (OCU). He shared this in an interview on the VICHE YouTube channel on May 7, 2025.
Smirnov, who is also a member of the OCU Synodal Commission, cited the example of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra, pointing out that the creation of a "clone" monastery simplified the transfer of the Dormition Cathedral to the OCU.
“Why are parallel legal entities being created? I think the answer is obvious. It is done so that if the state decides to transfer these monastic complexes to the OCU, it would be ready to take them into possession. This is what happened with the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra. If a legal entity had not been created, then even temporary use, lease, or transfer of the Dormition Cathedral would have been more complicated,” he stated.
As the UOJ previously reported, a court hearing is scheduled in Chernihiv concerning the eviction of nuns from the UOC's Yelets Convent.
Read also
WHO urges securing equal access to IVF for same-sex couples
WHO’s new recommendations substantially broaden the concept of infertility and open the door to widespread use of assisted reproduction, including for same-sex couples and transgender individuals.
In Kniazhychi, brotherhood defends their monastery from seizure
Parishioners and the brotherhood of the UOC Transfiguration Monastery in Kniazhychi succeeded in defending their sacred site from the attempts of security forces and raiders.
UOC Primate congratulates Met. Arseniy on 20 years of episcopal ordination
The Primate of the UOC sent greetings to Metropolitan Arseniy on the anniversary of his personal Pentecost.
UGCC urges faithful to be ready to lay down their lives for Ukraine
The UGCC hierarchs have published a letter to the faithful urging them to cleanse the country of Soviet methods of governance, military organization, and economic management.
Condition of Metropolitan Theodosiy shows first signs of recovery
For the first time since his hospitalization, the health indicators of Metropolitan Theodosiy of Cherkasy have begun to improve.
Court to choose preventive measure for Met. Arseniy in Dnipro on December 5
The prosecutor demands that the detention of the UOC hierarch be extended.