Swedish authorities consider acquisition of ROC church over location concerns

The Kazan Church of the ROC in Sweden. Photo: ROC press service

The authorities of the Swedish city of Västerås have submitted a proposal to the country's government for the compulsory purchase of the land plot on which the ROC Church of the Kazan Icon is located. This was reported on October 2, 2025, by the publication Archyde, citing local politicians.

The basis for this was national security considerations. The church is located just 500 meters from Västerås Airport, which, after Sweden joined NATO in 2024, has gained significance as a military transport hub for the alliance. According to Politico, in addition to the airport, within a few kilometers of the church are water treatment facilities, energy companies, and the production facilities of the Westinghouse Corporation, which produces nuclear fuel.

The Swedish Security Service (Säpo) stated back in May 2024 that members of the parish community allegedly "had contacts" with individuals linked to Russian intelligence. Based on these findings, the Agency for Support of Religious Communities (SST) ceased state funding for the parish.

The Church of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God was consecrated on November 4, 2023, by Metropolitan Anthony (Sevryuk) of Volokolamsk. The wooden church with eight domes, built in the traditions of Russian church architecture, cost 35 million Swedish kronor (about 3.1 million euros). The construction permit was issued by local authorities in February 2017, despite warnings from the security service.

As of November 2024, the church was closed and fenced off with installed video surveillance. The final decision on expropriation is to be made by the Swedish government. If the proposal is approved, it will be an unprecedented case of church property seizure on national security grounds in modern Europe. No official comments from representatives of the Russian Orthodox Church or the Russian Foreign Ministry were available at the time of publication. The parish denies any links to Russian intelligence operations.

Earlier, the UOJ reported that the State Duma accused anti-war priests of working for German intelligence.

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