Prosecutor's Office attempting to seize UOC temple in central Odesa through court, lawyer

The Church of the "Sign" Icon of the Mother of God in Odesa. Photo: Telegram channel of Archpriest Nikita

The Odesa Eparchy has approached the law firm of Archpriest Nikita Chekman in connection with the upcoming court hearing regarding the Church of the Kursk-Root Icon of the Mother of God "The Sign" in Odesa. Archpriest Nikita wrote about this on his Telegram channel.

The courts of first instance and appellate instance have previously ruled in favor of the religious community, leaving the temple in the possession of the Church. However, the Prosecutor's Office filed a cassation appeal, demanding that the premises be recognized as state property.

The hearing is scheduled for March 25, 2026 in the Cassation Commercial Court at the address: 6 Kopylenko Street, Kyiv.

The lawyers emphasize that the issue is of fundamental importance, as it affects the fundamental rights of religious communities to own their property.

Believers were called upon to support the parish with prayer by attending the open hearing.

As the UOJ reported, attempts had previously been made to seize the UOC church in Odesa.

Read also

A 30-kilometer procession took place in Bukovina to the Slatina Monastery

Pilgrims traveled the path from Storozhynets to the women's monastery "Slatina" in Bukovyna with prayers for peace, preservation of the Church, and for the defenders of Ukraine.

Ukrainians and Russians have blood of the same color, we need to negotiate, – Usyk

According to Usyk, when calling for agreements with Russia, he speaks not as a politician, but as an ordinary person and a Christian who wants peace and does not understand the logic of enmity.

TRC detains multi-child father and UOC deacon in Lutsk

Deacon Andriy Virny of the Three Holy Hierarchs Church had an official deferment and three children, however TRC employees detained him, insulting him for his affiliation with the UOC.

Usyk: Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra proves the antiquity of the Ukrainian nation

Speaking in the United States, the world champion described the Kyiv monastery as evidence that the Ukrainian nation has lived on its land for thousands of years.

UOC priest wounded in drone strike in Bilopillia

Priest Maksym Andrukhov sustained shrapnel wounds to his arm, head and leg; his mother Valentyna was also injured.

Culture Ministry allows possibility of handing Lavra’s “Afghan” church to OCU

The Ministry of Culture is ready to consider handing over to the OCU the Resurrection Church of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra, known as the “Afghan” church.