Chernihiv to spend ₴1.5 mln assessing “problems” of cathedral seized from UOC

The Transfiguration Cathedral in Chernihiv. Photo: suspilne.media

Authorities in Chernihiv have begun preparing scientific and design documentation for the restoration of the 11th-century Transfiguration Cathedral – the city’s oldest Christian monument, which was earlier seized from the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC) and transferred to a state heritage reserve. According to Suspilne Chernihiv, the Ministry of Culture allocated 1,498,600 hryvnias for the inspection of the cathedral.

The work is being carried out by the Ukrainian State Research and Design Institute UkrNDIproektrestavratsiya.

Nataliia Rebrova, director general of the Chernihiv the Ancient National Architectural and Historical Reserve, noted that the cathedral was last restored in the 1990s.

“This monument will turn 990 years old next year. It requires a special preservation regime. Naturally, over such a long time it has developed issues that have not been analyzed for almost forty years,” she said.

Rebrova added that specialists are using advanced technology to identify key structural defects in the building. “We have already completed a full scan of the cathedral – for the first time ever. Its results will help determine the main problems of the roof,” she explained.

Following the study, experts will draw up a detailed restoration plan identifying which issues require immediate attention and which can be addressed later. Preparation of the full project documentation is expected to be completed by the end of December 2025.

As the UOJ previously reported, Rebrova earlier led a tour of the Transfiguration Cathedral for members of the Verkhovna Rada’s Committee on Humanitarian and Information Policy. During the visit, Rebrova and the mostly female group entered the altar area of the cathedral; photographs show the MPs standing directly by the Holy Table, apparently without concern.

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