MinCilt commission visits main cathedral of UOC Volodymyr-Volynskyi Eparchy
Believers of the UOC gathered near the Cathedral of the Volodymyr-Volynskyi Diocese. Photo: Bug
On July 1, 2024, a commission from the Ministry of Culture, consisting of employees from the State Historical and Cultural Reserve "Ancient Volodymyr", along with law enforcement officers and representatives of the Volyn Regional State Administration, attempted to inventory the property of the Dormition Cathedral of the Volodymyr-Volynskyi Eparchy of the UOC, as well as the complex of buildings housing the diocesan administration and theological school. This was reported by the Bug publication, with journalists providing a live broadcast from the scene.
The commission demanded that Metropolitan Volodymyr of Volodymyr-Volynskyi and Kovel sign an act of transfer.
As seen in the video, the parishioners of the Dormition Cathedral were outraged by the events and reminded the commission members that they had collected 5,000 signatures to prevent the seizure of the cathedral from the Volodymyr-Volynskyi Diocese of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, but their appeal was ignored by the regional administration.
Metropolitan Volodymyr of Volodymyr-Volynskyi and Kovel stated that he refused to sign any acts presented by the commission, considering the expropriation of church property a deliberately orchestrated event.
The believers demanded explanations from the officials as to why their petition was ignored.
"We are servicemen, do we not deserve answers? Show some respect for the uniform! Where are you running to? We did not run away when we protected you!" the servicemen of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, who are parishioners of the Dormition Cathedral, addressed the local authorities.
Journalists noted that the commission members left without providing any comments on the situation.
As the UOJ reported, the Volyn Regional State Administration did not renew the lease agreement for the complex of buildings of the ancient Dormition Cathedral of the Volodymyr-Volynskyi Diocese of the UOC, which includes the diocesan administration and the Volodymyr-Volynskyi theological school.
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