UOC's lawyer explains what to expect from court hearing on Metropolis ban

The Panteleimon Cathedral in Feofania. Photo: ex.kiev

The lawyer of the Kyiv Metropolis, Archpriest Nikita Chekman, shared details about the hearing on the case regarding the termination of activities of the Kyiv Metropolis of the UOC, which will take place on September 30, 2025.

The court hearing is being held on a lawsuit filed by the State Service for Ethnopolitics (DESS). The Kyiv Metropolis of the UOC is accused of allegedly failing to comply with the order to cease affiliation with Moscow.

The lawyer emphasized that on September 30 there will be a preparatory court session, during which procedural matters related to preparing the case for trial will be addressed. Motions from various parties will be considered, and the question of the court’s jurisdiction over the case will be decided.

“The court hearing will be broadcast by our law firm. Additionally, I want to note that the trial will be open. Everyone will have the opportunity to attend as free listeners and watch the court broadcast,” said the UOC representative.

The lawyer appealed for prayerful support: “Our team of lawyers asks for holy prayers and support. I believe that we will all stand firm because God is with us. No government agency can ban the Church of Christ, because the Lord told us that He would build His Church, and the gates of hell will not prevail against it.”

The UOC representative also reported that, with the blessing of His Beatitude Metropolitan Onuphry of Kyiv and All Ukraine, the lawyers of the Kyiv Metropolis are working on other court cases as well. Lawsuits have been filed to cancel the Cabinet of Ministers’ order and to appeal the orders of the State Service for Ethnopolitics and Freedom of Conscience. These cases are currently under consideration.

“The work is ongoing, and with God’s help we all must pray and stand firm in our faith, remaining faithful children of the Church of Christ. I thank everyone for their prayers and support,” concluded the lawyer.

Earlier, the UOJ reported that the UOC Chancellor called the faithful to fasting before the trial on the Metropolis ban.

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