MinCulture transfers to OCU Crimean building housing “Ministry of Property”
Kliment Kushch and Deputy Culture Minister Ivan Verbytskyi. Photo: Facebook
On March 18, 2026, Ukraine’s Ministry of Culture legally formalized the transfer to the OCU of the building at 17 Sevastopolska Street in Simferopol, where the Cathedral of Saints Vladimir and Olga had previously been located. The relevant agreement, valid until 2075, was signed between the state enterprise “Crimean House” and the diocesan administration of Dumenko’s structure. In a Facebook post, the Ministry said that the decision officially legalizes the building’s status as the OCU’s “main shrine” on the peninsula and would assist in international court proceedings.
The situation was commented on by Archbishop Jonah of the UOC, who remarked ironically that the Ministry’s decision was not bold enough.
“They should immediately transfer to the OCU St. Volodymyr’s Cathedral in Chersonesos as well. And along with it, the cathedrals in Simferopol, Yalta, and other major cities of Crimea. What a timid Ministry of Culture. Apparently, it’s afraid of Putin,” the hierarch wrote on Facebook.
At the same time, the situation surrounding the building is complicated by the fact that it is under the control of the Russian authorities in Crimea and is physically inaccessible to OCU representatives. The premises, covering more than 1,475 square meters, are occupied by the “Ministry of Property and Land Relations of Crimea.” In May 2023, the Russian authorities confiscated the property after the OCU community refused to re-register its documents under local legislation.
It is also notable that “Metropolitan” Kliment Kushch, who heads the Crimean diocese of the OCU, is a citizen of the Russian Federation and holds a Russian passport. Earlier, Kushch explained why he obtained Russian citizenship. According to him, had he not done so, he “would have lost all property, not only church property but also [his] personal property” located in Crimea.
Earlier, the UOJ reported that, according to Kushch, Crimea will hardly become Ukrainian again.
Read also
Greece signs memorandum on protection of Jerusalem Patriarchate's shrines
Next week, the Greek Parliament will ratify a document on the protection of the cultural heritage of the Jerusalem Patriarchate.
Greek bishop calls imposition of same-sex marriage a threat
Metropolitan Seraphim of Kythera urged families to become a “domestic church” amid threats to the Christian family in Greek laws and school curricula.
Patriarch Bartholomew arrives in Budapest for opening of Orthodox center
The Ecumenical Patriarch has arrived in Hungary, where he will preside over the consecration of the Orthodox center "Phanarion."
OCU raiders stage attack on seized church in Kyiv, media
OCU "hierarch" Serhiy Horobtsov published a provocative post online regarding St. John's Church in Bykivnia seized by his people.