UOC Community Warns of Planned Eviction from Chernivtsi Cathedral

CHERNIVTSI — The faithful of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church's (UOC) Chernivtsi-Bukovyna Eparchy have reported that a state enforcement officer, accompanied by National Police units, plans to forcibly evict the UOC community from Holy Spirit Cathedral in Chernivtsi on Thursday, September 10.

According to the faithful, state enforcement officer Andriy Antoniuk issued the order under enforcement proceeding No. 81531987, based on a July 14, 2026 ruling by the Commercial Court of Chernivtsi Region.

As reported by UOJ-Ukraine, the order reportedly provides for the transfer of the church complex at 85 Holovna Street to Orthodox Church of Ukraine (OCU) supporters. The property includes the cathedral, a hotel building, a boiler house, and other auxiliary structures. Officers from the Main Directorate of the National Police are expected to provide security and physical protection for the enforcement officer.

The cathedral community has called on believers to peacefully defend the church, emphasizing that parishioners have prayed there for years and maintained and repaired the complex through their own donations.

The faithful are urging supporters to arrive on the evening of September 9, warning that access to the grounds could be blocked the following morning. Clergy are expected to hold an all-night service in the cathedral before the planned enforcement action.

Believers have expressed concern about a possible forceful operation, recalling an assault on the cathedral on June 17, 2025, when OCU supporters reportedly beat believers and priests defending the church. Metr. Meletiy of Chernivtsi was reportedly sprayed in the eyes with tear gas and was unable to move without assistance. Despite the assault, the thousands of faithful successfully retained control of the cathedral.

Previously, the UOJ reported that Metr. Onuphry had awarded the defenders of the cathedral.