Court orders UOC to hand over Theophany Monastery buildings to the state

Theophany Monastery of the UOC in Kremenets. Photo: inok

On July 24, the Commercial Court of Ternopil Region heard case No. 921/619/23 and partially upheld the claims of the Kremenets-Pochaiv Historical and Architectural Reserve, ordering the Theophany Convent of the Ternopil Eparchy of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church to transfer property to the state, according to the Ministry of Culture.

The court rejected the counterclaim filed by the Theophany Convent, which sought to declare the agreement transferring the property null and void.

The Ministry of Culture and Information Policy of Ukraine was involved in the proceedings as a third party supporting the reserve and actively advocated on its behalf.

The monastic complex, enclosed by a stone wall, includes the Cathedral of the Theophany, a two-story monastic building with the Church of St. Nicholas, a bell tower with a small church dedicated to St. Job of Pochaiv, and utility buildings.

Recall that on September 5, 2024, during an inspection of the Theophany Monastery in Kremenets, a representative of the Ministry of Culture died. The woman, a member of the inspection commission, suddenly lost consciousness and died on the spot.

As previously reported by the UOJ, police had earlier stormed the Kremenets Theological School, located on the grounds of the Theophany Monastery, and evicted the female students.

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