Court denies UOC protection from State Ethnopolitics orders
Judge’s gavel. Photo: Open sources
On September 18, 2025, the court refused to protect the UOC from the actions of the State Service for Ethnic Policy and Freedom of Conscience (DESS). The Church had asked the court to forbid the agency from sending directives to church organizations but was denied.
Currently, the court is considering a lawsuit filed by the DESS against the Kyiv Metropolia of the UOC, seeking to terminate the activity of the religious organization.
On September 16, a UOC representative filed a petition for injunctive relief, requesting the court to prohibit the DESS from sending orders demanding “elimination of violations” to organizations belonging to or affiliated with the Kyiv Metropolia.
The petition argued that failure to apply protective measures could lead to the termination of 154 religious organizations within or linked to the UOC structure.
It should be recalled that on August 29, the DESS filed a lawsuit seeking to ban the UOC’s activities. The court is also being asked to transfer the Church’s property, funds, and other assets (except sacred items) to the state. The case is scheduled for hearing on September 30.
Read also
Metropolitan Theodosiy to authorities: You will answer for abusing believers
The Cherkasy hierarch warned that the war would not excuse unlawful acts and that judges, prosecutors, and police officers involved in the persecution of the UOC would be held accountable.
Drone attack damages Smolensk Cathedral of ROC in Belgorod
Drone blast on Smolensk Cathedral grounds in Belgorod shatters more than 20 windows, damages the church's roof and façade.
Pope: There is no holy war: only peace is holy
Pontiff addresses participants of Assisi meeting marking 40th anniversary of 1986 Day of Prayer for Peace in a video message, calling on them to reject the use of religion to justify war.
St. Anthony of Caves Church destroyed by shelling in Antonivka
Photos of the destroyed UOC church in the Antonivka settlement of Kherson have been published online.
Kremenchuk TRC mobilizes UOC priest Ioann Vus
A cleric of the Kremenchuk Eparchy was mobilized near his own home.
German monks visit Bancheny to support Metropolitan Longin
Monks from the German Monastery of Buchhagen visited Bancheny to express their support for Metropolitan Longin and the monastery’s brotherhood.