UOC cathedral parish files appeal over transferring their shrine to OCU

Thousands of parishioners of the Holy Spirit Cathedral in Chernivtsi vote to remain in the UOC. Photo: Facebook of believers of the Chernivtsi Eparchy

The religious community of the Holy Spirit Cathedral of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church in the city of Chernivtsi is preparing an appeal against the decision of the Commercial Court of Chernivtsi Region to transfer its church and property to the Orthodox Church of Ukraine. This was reported on the Facebook page “Faithful of the Chernivtsi–Bukovyna Eparchy of the UOC.”

“Where has anyone ever seen thousands of believers having their shrine taken away by a raider from Ivano-Frankivsk and his henchmen?” the faithful commented on their intention.

The post states that the cathedral community of the UOC in Chernivtsi is preparing an appeal to the court.

As UOJ previously reported, on January 21, 2026, the Commercial Court of Chernivtsi Region granted the claim filed by what the report calls a fictitious OCU community – “Religious Community of the Parish of the Cathedral in Honor of the Descent of the Holy Spirit of the Chernivtsi–Bukovyna Eparchy of the OCU” – against the Administration of the Chernivtsi–Bukovyna Eparchy of the UOC.

According to the court decision, the UOC is required to vacate the cathedral, as well as the hotel and boiler house located at 85 Holovna Street, Chernivtsi. The decision may be appealed to the Western Commercial Court of Appeal within 20 days.

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