Volodymyr city authorities formalizing transfer of UOC chapel to OCU

UOC chapel dedicated to St Equal-to-the-Apostles Prince Volodymyr. Photo: varandej.livejournal

On March 3, 2026, during a briefing, Volodymyr Mayor Ihor Palonka spoke about the ongoing process of transferring the UOC chapel dedicated to St Equal-to-the-Apostles Prince Volodymyr to the OCU. According to him, the required documentation is currently being prepared, Bug.org.ua reports.

The case concerns the St Volodymyr chapel in the city center, which has previously been at the center of disputes over its use and legal status.

According to the mayor, a technical passport has already been issued for the chapel and inventory documentation has been prepared. A monetary valuation has also been commissioned for the property.

After the valuation is completed, the documents are expected to be submitted to the Culture Department of the Volyn Regional State Administration, since the regional authorities have the power to register and carry out the final re-registration of the structure.

Earlier, the Ukrainian Orthodox Church community served in this chapel for a period of time after it was deprived of access to the diocesan Holy Dormition Cathedral. In October 2025, the enforcement service began a forced eviction of the Volodymyr-Volyn Eparchy of the UOC from the cathedral complex – including the eparchy administration buildings and the theological school – after which believers’ access to the church premises was restricted.

As the UOJ previously reported, in Volodymyr, after the cathedral was sealed, the community has been praying outdoors.

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