Lawyers urge faithful to support UOC at court hearing in ban case

6th Appellate Court of Kyiv. Photo: court's website

The lawyers of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church are calling on the faithful to support the UOC during the court hearing on the lawsuit to terminate the activity of the Kyiv Metropolia, scheduled for September 30, 2025, according to Lavra lawyer Archpriest Nikita Chekman.

He recalled that the State Service of Ukraine for Ethnopolitics and Freedom of Conscience (DESS) has filed a lawsuit demanding the dissolution of the UOC’s religious administrative center, which oversees the Church’s dioceses, parishes, monasteries, and theological schools.

The hearing will begin at 11:40 a.m. in the Sixth Appellate Administrative Court of Kyiv, at 8 Kniaziv Ostrozkykh Street, Building 30. The case is being considered under docket number 855/11/25.

“The consideration of this case is of exceptional importance for millions of citizens of Ukraine and thousands of religious organizations that belong to the Ukrainian Orthodox Church,” Archpriest Nikita wrote.

The lawyers are asking for the “holy prayers and support” of the faithful in connection with the proceedings, which may determine the legal status of the UOC. An online broadcast of the hearing is also planned on the official Facebook page of Nikita Chekman’s law office.

Recall, DESS has filed a lawsuit against the Kyiv Metropolia of the UOC.

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