Simferopol Cathedral Leased to Orthodox Church of Ukraine in 49-Year Agreement

Simferopol Cathedral Handed Over to Orthodox Church of Ukraine

According to Главком: The Ukrainian Ministry of Culture has finalized the legal transfer of the Cathedral of Saints Equal-to-the-Apostles Prince Volodymyr and Princess Olha in Simferopol. The state-owned enterprise 'Crimean House' and the Administration of the Crimean Diocese of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine (OCU) signed a contract on 20.03.2026, granting the OCU free use of the cathedral for a period of 49 years. This move is part of Ukraine's broader policy to support religious communities affected by the ongoing conflict.

Located on Sevastopolska Street in Simferopol, the Cathedral building spans over 1,475 square meters, making it a significant religious and cultural site. Since the signing, OCU representatives have expressed hope that this will be a crucial step in supporting Ukrainian religious communities, particularly those impacted by the temporary occupation of Crimea and Russian aggression.

Ivan Verbystkyi noted: 'Crimea is Ukraine. Securing full use rights for the Cathedral is a vital step in supporting Ukraine's religious communities.'

Metropolitan Klyment of Simferopol and Crimea of the OCU also commented on this significant development, stating:

'Signing this agreement is not merely a legal procedure. It is an act of state support for Ukrainians who remain in temporarily occupied Crimea. We are securing the OCU's right to this Cathedral for decades to come, demonstrating to the entire world that Crimea is Ukraine and that this Orthodox Cathedral is an inseparable part of our spiritual heritage.'

Legal Processes in Ukraine

This event occurs against the backdrop of other legal proceedings in Ukraine, including:

• the Supreme Court of Ukraine upholding the legality of leasing the building complex of the Spaso-Preobrazhenskyi Monastery in the village of Kniazhychi, Kyiv region, to the OCU;
• the decision by the Brovary City Council in 2022 to lease the building complex of the Spaso-Preobrazhenskyi Men's Monastery to the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (Moscow Patriarchate).

The transfer of the Cathedral to the OCU represents a major step in supporting Ukrainian religious communities facing hardship under temporary occupation. This contract not only affirms the OCU's right to use the cathedral but also carries profound symbolic weight, affirming that Crimea's cultural and religious heritage remains an integral part of Ukraine. Such legal decisions may form a foundation for future steps in restoring the rights of Ukrainian communities in Crimea and supporting their interests amidst contemporary challenges.

This significant leasing agreement follows recent legal developments in Ukraine, where the Supreme Court upheld the transfer of a monastery to the Orthodox Church of Ukraine. Such rulings underscore the ongoing efforts to reinforce the rights of religious communities and the importance of cultural heritage amid the challenges faced in the region.