Seized convent in Baturyn made "security facility", abbess says

Locked gates of the Krupytsky Monastery in Baturyn. Photo: a screenshot from a "Dozor" video

The sisters of the St. Nicholas Krupytsky Convent in Baturyn, Chernihiv region, were unable to enter the monastery grounds by car. On January 29, 2026, representatives of the state reserve and law enforcement agencies blocked access to the monastery. Abbess Dorothea spoke about this in a video published on the Telegram channel “Dozor”.

According to the abbess, after the sisters returned from their trip, their car was not allowed inside because the monastery gates were locked. Officials declared the monastery a «restricted facility» and limited access.

"Here on the gates there is a lock. Do you see? They locked it, and they won't let us drive in here. They said that from now on this is a "regime enterprise". What kind of regime – they didn't tell us. Prison regime? Military regime? I don't know," the abbess comments.

“Dozor” emphasizes that not all premises on the monastery grounds legally belong to the state. Nevertheless, law enforcement blocked access even to those areas.

Sources cited by the channel reported that as recently as yesterday, entry to the territory was restricted only upon presentation of a passport.

"The sisters' stay on the convent territory was made possible only under constant police surveillance. Even to feed the chickens, the sisters are required to go together with an armed guard," the message states.

the St. Nicholas Krupitsky Convent is a women's monastery of the UOC in the village of Osich, Bakhmach district, Chernihiv region, restored in the late 20th century through the efforts of nuns. The convent is known as a place of veneration of the miraculous icon of Saint Nicholas of Krupitsa.

As reported by the UOJ, Baturyn authorities evicted nuns from the St. Nicholas Convent, citing the expiration of the usage agreement.

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