Court returns seized church to UOC community in Ivankiv

Believers of the UOC in Ivankiv praying near the seized church. Photo: facebook.com/zvcaves

The Northern Commercial Court of Appeals satisfied the appeal in the case of the Nativity of the Most Holy Theotokos Church of the UOC in the town of Ivankiv, Kyiv region. This was reported by Archpriest Nikita Chekman on his Telegram channel on February 26, 2026.

The court overturned the first instance decision, which had previously denied the lawsuit, made a new decision and fully satisfied the rector's demands. The appellate court also declared invalid the statute in its new version, on the basis of which the re-registration of the religious community to the OCU was carried out.

It concerns a re-registration that was carried out with violations and became the basis for the subsequent seizure of the church. It is reported that the meeting which served as the grounds for changing canonical jurisdiction included individuals who did not belong to the religious community. Moreover, among the listed participants were people who, at that time, were already deceased.

The appellate court's decision took legal effect immediately. The human rights defender expressed hope for its actual implementation and the factual return of the shrine to the lawful religious community.

«We thank everyone for their support and prayers. God is with us!» noted Archpriest Nikita Chekman.

As the UOJ wrote, on May 21, 2022, raiders from the OCU seized the UOC church of the Nativity of the Most Holy Theotokos in the town of Ivankiv, Kyiv region, relying on illegal re-registration decisions with the support of police and territorial defense.

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