The Ivano-Frankivsk diocese of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church published a commentary on information disseminated in the media that on March 8, 2023, the court ordered the police to open criminal proceedings against the community of the Cathedral in honor of the Nativity of Christ in Ivano-Frankivsk for the “appropriation” of property allegedly belonging to the Orthodox Church Ukraine, writes Pravlife.

“The accusations of the believers of the religious community of the Cathedral of the Nativity of Christ of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Ivano-Frankivsk that they allegedly illegally seized the temple are groundless and far-fetched. Since in this case there is a raider seizure of the religious community by supporters of the OCU, and its illegal re-registration with the aim of illegally taking possession of the Cathedral of the Nativity of Christ, which legally belongs to the believers of the UOC, as well as built by them with their own donations,” the comment says.

It is noted that the decision to allegedly resubordinate the OCU was made not by the religious community, but by outsiders who are now trying to seize the Nativity Cathedral in Ivano-Frankivsk, the only temple operating in the region belonging to the Ukrainian Orthodox Church.

“In this connection, the religious community of the UOC defends its rights and appeals against the illegal decision in court!” – emphasized in the commentary.

The Ivano-Frankivsk diocese of the UOC appeals to the local authorities with a demand to stop violating the rights of believers and religious communities of the UOC. The diocese calls on the President of Ukraine to protect the constitutional right to freedom of religion of members of the religious community of the Cathedral of the Nativity of Christ of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Ivano-Frankivsk.