In Vyshhorod, premises of seized UOC church being rented out

Premises of the Sunday school of the Sts Borys and Glib Church in Vyshgorod. Photo: a screenshot of the OLX announcement

The premises of the Sunday school of the Sts. Borys and Glib Church in Vyshgorod, Kyiv region, are being rented out. The church was seized by representatives of the OCU in September 2023, and has been practically vacant ever since. In May 2025, advertisements appeared online offering the rental of a "premises with a view of the Kyiv Sea".

Photos published show that icons of saints are painted on the walls of the premises. Believers recognized that a Sunday school had previously been located there under the UOC Borys and Glib Church.

"The premises are ideal for: an educational, artistic, or cultural center, an art studio or gallery, a rehabilitation center, a hostel, or any other business – with no restrictions on purpose," the realtors describe the former Sunday school.

On the OLX platform, the premises are listed for 30,000 UAH/month + utilities according to the meters. 

The situation has caused confusion among clergy and outrage among UOC believers.

Archbishop Ion of Obukhiv said on his Facebook page that the church was handed over to the UOC community in a semi-destroyed state, it was restored and housed a Sunday school where children studied. "And now the structure, due to a lack of parishioners (and children), is renting out the stolen premises," the archbishop wrote and published photos showing the church before and after its restoration by the UOC religious community.

Human rights activist Victoria Kokhanovska called the real estate agency and published an audio recording of her conversation. The realtor confirmed that indeed, the premises are located on the church's territory.

Kokhanovska requested maximum dissemination of this information. "The premises that were looted from the UOC are now turned into a business. Churches are being rented out through agencies. Vyshgorod Orthodox, your calluses and tears are worth 30 thousand a month," she stated.

As reported by the UOJ, in the Borisoglebsky Church seized by representatives of the OCU in September 2023 in Vyshgorod, Sunday services are held in a practically empty church, and all-night vigils are not held on Saturdays at all.

Earlier, a UOC priest reported that in Vyshgorod, half of the OCU churches are closed.

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