DESS recognizes Holosiiv Monastery as affiliated with ROC
The Holosiiv Monastery. Photo: open sources
The State Service of Ukraine for Ethnopolitics and Freedom of Conscience (DESS) adopted a decision to recognize the male monastery "Holy Intercession Holosiiv Hervmitage" as affiliated with a foreign religious organization.
Viktor Yelensky signed the corresponding order based on the Law "On Protection of the Constitutional Order in the Sphere of Activity of Religious Organizations." DESS officials approved this document following the results of their special investigation.
Previously, the agency conducted an inspection of the monastery's activities from January 26 to March 19, 2026. Following the results of this inspection, the authorities issued the monastery a directive demanding to "eliminate violations" by April 27, 2026.
The abbot of the Holosiiv Hermitage was required to provide a decision of the Spiritual Council on withdrawal from the Kyiv Metropolis of the UOC and prepare an official statement on breaking all ties with the Moscow Patriarchate. The monastery leadership was also supposed to declare its disagreement with appointments to any governing bodies of the ROC.
As the UOJ reported, DESS discovered the affiliation of the Korets Monastery with the ROC. In October 2025, the agency ordered measures to be taken to cease the activities of this monastery.
Read also
Bishop of Stuttgart: The Murder in Svyatogorsk Has Shaken the Entire Orthodox World
The hierarch of the German Diocese of ROCOR stated that the brutal killing of a monk of the Svyatogorsk Lavra has resonated with pain throughout the entire Orthodox world.
Volodymyr persecuted community of Dormition Church marks its patronal feast
The Volodymyr community of the UOC continues to hold services in temporary facilities following the seizure of the Dormition Cathedral.
His Beatitude gives school backpacks to 200 displaced children
After a prayer service marking the start of the school year, the UOC Primate gave displaced children school backpacks and essential supplies.
Armenia to restore 5th-century church built on ancient pagan sanctuary
Armenia is preparing to restore an ancient Christian church built on the site of a pagan sanctuary.
DESS demands Zaporizhzhia Eparchy sever ties with UOC Kyiv Metropolia
The leadership of the UOC Zaporizhzhia Eparchy said it had received DESS documents alleging signs of affiliation with the Russian Orthodox Church.
Patriarchate of Constantinople canonizes six Athonite elders
The Constantinople Patriarchate canonized six Athonite ascetics, including four elders of Romanian origin, as well as Tikhon the Confessor and Georgios Hadjigeorgis.