Russian-appointed authorities in annexed Crimea seize Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Simferopol, hand it over to Russian Orthodox Church

The Russian-appointed authorities in annexed Crimea have seized the Ukrainian Orthodox Church’s cathedral in Simferopol, reports local news outlet Krym.Realii, citing Andriy Shchekun, editor-in-chief of the newspaper Krymska Svitlytsia.

Shchekun says that employees of Russia’s Ministry of Property and Land Relations for the Republic of Crimea and bailiffs are taking part in the action. The journalist reports that the Russian authorities have sealed all doors to the cathedral and changed the locks. Currently, Shchekun writes, police officers are guarding the building and not allowing anyone inside. “They’re not explaining anything to anyone, and they haven’t shown any documents,” he added.

The Russian ministry’s press service says there are legal grounds for “the liberation of the church premises,” stating that church representatives failed to file required paperwork on time, causing the church’s lease agreement to be terminated. The ministry also says the building was rented by an entity, the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Kyiv Patriarchate, which ceased to exist in 2019 after it was absorbed by the Orthodox Church of Ukraine.

The cathedral building will be transferred to the Russian Orthodox Church. The Ministry of Property and Land Relations of the Crimean Republic promises to save and transfer all moveable property belonging to the Orthodox Church of Ukraine, if the Church appeals to the Ministry.