UOC Lawyer Reveals Details of the Case Against Miletsky Monastery
Believers have filed more than 150 applications to join the court proceedings as third parties.
The Commercial Court of Volyn Oblast is considering a lawsuit filed by local authorities seeking to seize the property of the St. Nicholas Miletsky Men's Monastery of the UOC. Archpriest Nikita Chekman reported that officials are demanding the return of the monastery complex to the state, which threatens the brotherhood with eviction.
Initially, the case was handled by Judge I.O. Harbar. This same judge had previously ruled in the case against the UOC community of the Assumption Cathedral in Volodymyr, a decision that effectively served as the basis for evicting the community from the cathedral. Since the judge had already expressed his legal position in a similar dispute, the monastery's lawyers filed a motion to recuse him. The court rejected this motion; however, I.O. Harbar subsequently recused himself.
The dispute is now being heard by a panel of three judges. The court itself initiated this format of hearings "taking into account the category and complexity of the case, the nature of the disputed legal relations, as well as the significant public interest in the subject of the dispute."
Believers are actively joining the proceedings. Parishioners of the monastery are submitting applications to the court to enter the case on the side of the monastery as third parties. To date, more than 150 such applications have been filed. The believers emphasize that "the future court ruling will directly affect their rights, obligations, and legitimate interests." The lawyers are asking the faithful to pray for the brotherhood and the monastic community.
Earlier, the SPJ reported that the Volyn OVA filed a lawsuit to evict the UOC brotherhood from the Miletsky Monastery.
