Struggle of UOC community for Konstantinovka church to continue in ECHR
Sretensky temple in Konstantinovka
On June 19, the judicial panel of the Supreme Court, reversing the decisions of previous courts, decided to refuse the claims of the Gorlovka eparchy of the UOC concerning the church in Konstantinovka, reports the press service of the platform "Uspishna Varta".
Lawyer Yuri Zakharchenko, commenting on the decision of the judge, said that the possibilities to protect their rights are not exhausted and the next step will be filing an action in the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR).
"Now we are waiting for the text of the court's decision. In parallel, we begin preparations for filing a lawsuit with the ECHR," Zakharchenko said.
The decision of the Supreme Court was a surprise for the parishioners of the Holy-Sretensky temple in Konstantinovka, which from 2015 to 2018. successively won the courts of the first and second instances.
In August 2017, the Supreme Economic Court of Ukraine in Kiev ruled in favor of the Gorlovka eparchy.
In October 2015, the Sretensky Church of the UOC in Konstantinovka was seized by representatives of the Kiev Patriarchate. This happened after the businessman and deputy of the Donetsk Regional Council Yuri Shapran personally made changes to the leadership of the parish council, as a result of which the confessional affiliation of the church was changed in favor of the UOC KP.
Read also
ROCOR Priest Reflects on Trip to Capitol Hill
Archpriest Victor Boldewskul participated in the Society of St. John of Shanghai and San Francisco's Day of Action to raise awareness about the persecution of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church.
Hundreds of Chinese Christians Arrested in Pre-Christmas Crackdown
Hundreds of Chinese Christians face spending Christmas in detention after authorities launched a sweeping pre-holiday crackdown on churches under Beijing’s campaign to control religious life.
Ukraine Adviser: UOC Not Banned, but Offered a 'Choice' of Jurisdictions
A Ukrainian presidential adviser said the UOC is not banned but pressured to choose between joining the OCU, submitting to Constantinople, or remaining unregistered, while dismissing international concerns as propaganda.
Indiana Reports 98% Drop in Abortions Under Stricter Law
Indiana’s latest health report shows a 98% drop in reported abortions under stricter laws, though dozens still occurred under legal exceptions and concerns persist about unreported pill abortions.
Armenian Apostolic Church Pushes Back on Political Encroachment
The Armenian Apostolic Church plans to appeal to international bodies to resist government interference and defend its clergy and sacred relics.
Attempted Takeover at Armenian Etchmiadzin Cathedral Thwarted by Faithful
Supporters of Armenian PM Pashinyan attempted to storm Etchmiadzin Cathedral amid calls for the Catholicos’s resignation but were blocked by parishioners and security.