Court denies MinCulture’s request to evict Yelets Monastery in Chernihiv
Dormition Yelets Monastery in Chernihiv. Photo: UOC Information and Education Department
On July 28, 2025, the Commercial Court of the Chernihiv Region rejected a lawsuit filed by the National Architectural and Historical Reserve "Ancient Chernihiv" – a body under Ukraine’s Ministry of Culture – seeking the eviction of the nuns from the Yelets Convent. This was reported by the UOC’s Information and Education Department.
According to the court’s decision, the Chernihiv Eparchy of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church will continue to use part of the monastery complex – including the buildings housing the convent’s residents – free of charge.
Currently, 45 nuns reside in the monastery. The eldest among them are 92, 90, and 84 years old.
“The nuns are of very advanced age. Many are ill. There is even a separate room for bedridden residents,” representatives of the religious community noted.
The monastery also recalled that the right to use the buildings was granted by a resolution of the Chernihiv Regional Council Executive Committee dated December 31, 1991.
It is noted that the full text of the court decision will be published on August 7.
Earlier, the UOJ reported that the Supreme Court denied the Ministry of Culture’s appeal and ordered the transfer of St. Nicholas Church in Kyiv to the Roman Catholic Church.
Read also
In Chernivtsi, another seizure of UOC cathedral prepared
Believers of the Chernivtsi-Bukovyna Eparchy have been called to intensified prayer due to the threat of a new forceful provocation.
Rivne Eparchy venerates "Life-Giver" Icon of Most Holy Theotokos
On the day of veneration of the "Life-Giving" icon, the UOC hierarchs celebrated the Liturgy and held a procession at the Mezhyrich Monastery.
In Romania, memorial cross placed on site of church demolished under communism
In Bucharest, a monument was blessed on the site of the Spirea Veche Church, which was destroyed in 1984 for the construction of the "House of the People".
Pope calls European military spending as betrayal of diplomacy
The pontiff called on students not to confine themselves within national borders and ideologies.
Rada creates “Seeking the Kingdom of God and His Righteousness” association
The inter-factional parliamentary association in the Verkhovna Rada will be headed by MP Heorhiy Mazurashu.
Trial of Metropolitan Arseniy in Dnipro postponed until June
The hearing at the Chechelivka District Court was postponed due to the defense’s complaint over the replacement of the prosecutorial team and motions filed by three of the four lawyers.