UOC religious community in Buhryn wins two court cases

The Church of the Ascension overgrown with weeds. Photo: Rivne Eparchy Press Service

The religious community of the Ascension Parish in the village of Buhryn, belonging to the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, won two court cases in July 2025, affirming its legal right to exist and to use its church building. This was reported by the press service of the Rivne Eparchy.

First victory: legal status confirmed

The Rivne District Administrative Court ruled in favor of the Ascension parish community of the UOC in Buhryn, recognizing the legitimacy of its charter documents. The court confirmed that the community belongs to the Ukrainian Orthodox Church without any additional designations.

“The court granted the community’s claim against the Department of Culture and Tourism of the Rivne Regional State Administration, recognizing the refusal as unlawful and ordering the department to carry out registration actions in accordance with the court’s legal assessment,” explained legal advocate Raisa Dmytrenko.

Second victory: eviction overturned

On April 29, 2025, the Economic Court of Rivne Region issued a ruling in case No. 918/46/25, annulling the unlawful decision of the Buhryn Village Council dated February 9, 2024, which had terminated the parish’s right to use the property free of charge.

Current situation

At present, the faithful are forced to hold services in a temporary, makeshift building. Their church, constructed on the site of a former maternity hospital, now stands empty and overgrown with weeds.

Despite the court rulings in their favor, the community has not yet been allowed back into their church and continues their legal struggle to restore justice.

Recall that since 2023, village head Serhiy Pylypchuk, with the support of district officials, has been attempting to evict the Ukrainian Orthodox Church community from the Church of the Ascension.

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