UOC сommunity in Volodymyr compelled to leave historic chapel

The UOC chapel in honor of the Holy Equal-to-the-Apostles Prince Volodymyr. Photo: open sources

The faithful of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church have left the historic chapel building dating back to 1892, located at the intersection of Soborna and Danylo Halytskyi streets in Volodymyr. This was reported by Bug.org.ua.

Volodymyr Mayor Ihor Palionka initiated the process of alienating the property, stating that the community lacked the necessary title documents for the building used by the faithful.

Pressure intensified after the intervention of MP Ihor Huz, who demanded that the Prosecutor General’s Office “free” the premises from the presence of the canonical Church.

Facing the threat of lawsuits and forcible eviction, the community decided to remove church utensils and sacred items in order to save them from unlawful seizure. Icons, candlesticks and other items purchased and preserved through the efforts of parishioners over years of prayerful life were taken out of the chapel.

The chapel had become a temporary refuge for the community after the authorities expelled it from the Cathedral of the Dormition. In October 2025, bailiffs forcibly seized the cathedral buildings and the diocesan administration, after which officials finally banned UOC believers from entering the church premises, leaving parishioners to pray directly in the street.

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