Chernigov, Ukraine, July 30, 2025
Photo: suspilne.media
A Ukrainian commercial court has rejected a lawsuit by the Ancient Chernigov National Architectural and Historical Preserve that sought to evict the canonical Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC) from the historic Elets Monastery complex in Chernigov.
Judge Andriy Sidorenko of the Chernigov Regional Commercial Court announced the decision on July 28, ruling against the Preserve’s claim to force the Chernigov Diocese of the UOC to return property and cease using several buildings within the monastery complex. The ruling allows the Church to continue its free use of the buildings, reports Suspilne.
The dispute centers on the continued use of the ancient monastery by UOC representatives following the expiration of their free-use agreement with the preserve in September 2021. The monastery celebrated its 965th anniversary earlier this month.
Preserve Director Natalia Rebrova said the organization will decide whether to file an appeal after the full court decision is published on August 7. She stated that the Preserve’s position remains unchanged—the buildings should be vacated.
The case has been ongoing since 2023, moving through various court levels before being returned to the first instance court for reconsideration. Some buildings in the complex, including the Dormition Cathedral and bell tower, were already returned to Preserve control in 2023.
Nina Kostina, a representative of the Holy Assumption Women's Monastery, argued that the religious community has the right to free use of the buildings based on a December 31, 1991 decision by the Chernigov Regional Council executive committee. She said 45 nuns currently live at the monastery, with the oldest being 92 years old and many in poor health.
The monastery was closed by Bolshevik authorities in 1921 and came under state control. It is now part of the Ancient Chernigov National Architectural and Historical Preserve, which falls under Ukraine’s Ministry of Culture.
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