Court seizes territory in Soborny Park of Cherkasy from UOC

The Archangel Michael Cathedral in Soborny Park in Cherkasy. Photo: Ihor Chernov's Facebook page

On 22 September 2023, the Cherkasy District Administrative Court seized a land plot in the city's Soborny Park from the Cherkasy Eparchy of the UOC. The corresponding decision was published on the website of the Register of Court Decisions.

According to the text of the document, the seized plot, with an area of 8.72 hectares, will be transferred for "public needs" and for the "creation of a city park".

It should be noted that on the territory of the park is the building of the Cherkasy Eparchy administration, a spiritual-educational centre and the Archangel Michael Cathedral of the UOC.

Archpriest Georgiy Pogranichnyy, head of the Legal Department of the Cherkasy Eparchy of the UOC, said that the land plot under the cathedral and the eparchial administration does not belong to the territory seized by the court.

According to him, the territory to be transferred for "public needs" contains only auxiliary premises of the eparchy.

Fr. Georgiy also noted that the lawyers have already filed a corresponding application to the Court of Appeal to challenge the decision of the first instance.

As previously reported, the Sretensky Church of the UOC was raided in Cherkasy.

Read also

In Ukraine, Trump’s 'spiritual advisor' reassured of religious freedom

Pastor Mark Burns stated that Ukraine, despite the war, is a "beacon of religious freedom."

Lavra brethren congratulate Metropolitan Pavel on 31 years as abbot

The monks of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra have expressed hope that they will soon be able to pray again with their abbot.

Amsterdam: Intrusion into Lavra Caves – a return to Soviet-era persecution

International lawyer Robert Amsterdam has condemned the actions of Ukraine’s Ministry of Culture regarding the inspection of holy relics in the Caves of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra, calling it a violation of religious freedom.

Over 20 EU states condemn Hungary for ban on LGBT propaganda among children

“This restricts the right to peaceful assembly and freedom of expression,” diplomats state in a joint declaration.

His Beatitude officiates consecration of Bishop of Rakhiv

At the Church of St. Agapitus in the Lavra, the Primate of the UOC ordained a vicar for the Khust Eparchy.

Met Victor: It is painful to see Lavra's relics turned into test subjects

According to the bishop, there is particular concern over how members of the scientific commission will handle the holy relics.