Court transfers Pochaiv Holy Spirit Skete complex of the UOC to the state
Pochaiv Holy Spirit Skete Monastery. Photo: Raskolam
On August 14, 2024, the Commercial Court of Ternopil Oblast ruled to expropriate the complex of buildings belonging to the Pochaiv Holy Spirit Skete Monastery of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC), according to a statement from the court's press service.
The court based its decision on the claim that the transfer of the architectural monument buildings to the Holy Spirit Pochaiv Monastery of the UOC was conducted with violations.
The Ternopil Regional Military (State) Administration filed a lawsuit against the local authorities, asserting that their decision to recognize the UOC's ownership of the Pochaiv Holy Spirit Monastery complex violated state interests.
The court ruled that decisions regarding the management of religious buildings or property are the exclusive authority of regional state administrations. Local self-government bodies do not have the authority to manage religious buildings or property. Consequently, the court declared the local authority's decision to recognize the UOC's ownership of the Pochaiv Holy Spirit Monastery complex as illegal, canceling both the state registration of these rights and the certificate issued to confirm them (Decision of the Commercial Court of Ternopil Oblast dated 14.08.2024 in case No. 921/788/23).
As previously reported by the Union of Orthodox Journalists (UOJ), Acting Minister of Culture Rostyslav Karandeyev stated that the Ministry is working on transferring the Pochaiv and Sviatohirsk Lavras to state ownership.
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.