DESS discovers affiliation of Korets Monastery with ROC

The Korets Holy Trinity Monastery. Photo: inok.info

On October 24, 2025, the State Service of Ukraine for Ethnopolitics and Freedom of Conscience (DESS) announced the completion of a study on the presence of signs of affiliation of the Korets Holy Trinity Women's Stauropegial Monastery with the Russian Orthodox Church (ROC), whose activities are banned in Ukraine in accordance with the Law of Ukraine "On the Protection of the Constitutional Order in the Sphere of Religious Organizations' Activities".

The the message on the DESS website says that the study began on July 28 and was completed on October 17. It is noted that as a result, officials identified a number of signs of the monastery's affiliation with the ROC.

DESS claims to have discovered that the Korets Monastery is a structural part of the ROC; the monastery's statute contains provisions on subordination and inclusion in the ROC structure; the decisions of the ROC's governing bodies clearly define the canonical and organizational dependence of the monastery; the ROC has the ability to influence the monastery's management decisions; the ROC appoints the head of the monastery and approves its statute.

"Based on the findings, DESS ordered that measures be taken to terminate the activities of the Korets Monastery, whose governing center is located in the territory of the aggressor state and which belongs to the Russian Orthodox Church, banned by law,” the statement says.

The Department of Legal Support and Analysis, in accordance with the SSES order, must ensure that the necessary procedures are carried out.

DESS claims that “the decision was made strictly within the framework of the current legislation of Ukraine, with the aim of protecting national security, the constitutional order, and the religious freedom of citizens.”

The agency published links to their studies.

As reported by the UOJ, DESS will to monitor the “Russian World” propaganda in religious organizations

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