Security forces block monastery and two cathedrals of UOC in Chernihiv

Armed security forces block the Dormition Cathedral of the Yeletskyi Convent. Photo: UOC Information and Education Department

On 5 October 2023 in Chernihiv, people in camouflage uniforms surrounded the Trinity Cathedral, the Yeletskyi Convent and Transfiguration Cathedral, and did not allow the faithful to go there for services and veneration of relics and miracle-working icons, reports the Information and Education Department of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church with reference to the Chernihiv Eparchial Administration of the UOC.

After calling the police, it was found out that law enforcers blocked the shrines to ensure the work of the commission of the Ministry of Culture and Information Policy, which is due to arrive from Kyiv. However, the people blocking the entrance to the temples could not provide any documents confirming the legality of such actions.

As the lawyer of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra, Archpriest Nikita Chekman, reported on his Telegram channel, a group of people – according to preliminary information, employees of the National Reserve "Chernihiv Ancient" – accompanied by armed law enforcers blocked the entrance to the premises where the nuns live. The lawyer is not allowed into the premises.

The administration of the Chernihiv Eparchy of the UOC emphasises that the legal dispute over the Trinity and Transfiguration cathedrals and the Yeletskyi Convent is not over, the court decision has not been made yet.

As reported, in February 2023, the Reserve "Chernihiv Ancient" announced the end of the term of use agreements on architectural monuments – the Yeletskyi Convent, the Trinity Monastery and the Transfiguration Cathedral – and demanded that the Chernihiv Eparchy of the UOC vacate the shrines. The eparchy, citing the law "On Freedom of Conscience and Religious Organisations", filed a lawsuit with the court asking to recognise the contracts as valid.

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