DESS demanded that Holosiivskyi Monastery leave the Kyiv Metropolis of the UOC
Holosiivskyi Monastery. Photo: open sources
The State Service of Ukraine for Ethnopolitics and Freedom of Conscience (DESS) has issued an official directive to the Holy Protection Holosiivska Hermitage regarding the "elimination of violations" of freedom of conscience legislation. Officials accused the monastery of being affiliated with a foreign religious organization whose activities are prohibited in Ukraine according to the law on protection of the constitutional order.
DESS conducted a special investigation regarding the monastery's connections from January 26 to March 19, 2026. Based on the inspection results, the head of the department Viktor Yelensky signed a document that obliges the monastery to fulfill a number of strict requirements by April 27, 2026.
In particular, the abbot of the Holosiivska Hermitage is required to provide a decision from the Spiritual Council – the monastery's governing body – regarding the monastery's withdrawal from the Kyiv Metropolia of the UOC. Additionally, the monastery's leadership must officially declare its disagreement with appointments to the governing bodies of the ROC. The abbot was obliged to prepare a statement about terminating powers and severing ties with the Moscow Patriarchate.
DESS claims to have found in the monastery's charter and internal documents signs of "inclusion in the structure" of an organization that is part of a prohibited center of influence. In case of non-compliance with the directive within the established timeframe, the department may initiate further sanctions against the religious organization.
Earlier, SPJ wrote that DESS found connections with Moscow at the Holosiivsky monastery.
Read also
Sand for construction of Yermak’s residence brought from cemetery, MP says
MP Yaroslav Zhelezniak said that sand illegally removed from a cemetery in Ukrainka was used in the construction of the elite Dynasty cooperative in Kozyn.
Israeli soldiers receive jail terms for mocking statue of the Virgin Mary
Those involved in the act of sacrilege in the village of Debel will spend several weeks behind bars for desecrating a statue of the Mother of God.
Serbian Church officially receives back land of 15th-century monastery
An agreement was signed in Belgrade transferring the territory of the ancient Vojlovica Monastery to the Banat Eparchy.
Pat Daniiel comments on conflict between Phanar bishop and community in Turkey
The Bulgarian Primate believes that the hierarch of the Constantinople Patriarchate should not have forced the Bulgarian community in Edirne to serve in Greek.
Patriarch Bartholomew congratulates Patriarch Shio on his election
In his message of congratulations, Patriarch Bartholomew called for joint witness before the world within the framework of “pan-Orthodox unity.”
Georgian priest in Germany: Patriarch Shio will preserve Ilia II’s legacy
Priest Elias Schlepegrell, who was present at the election in Tbilisi, said there is a clear disposition toward preserving Ilia II’s line and the unity of the Georgian Church.