Court Orders Return of 1.79 Million Hryvnias to Metropolitan, Cash Seized After Cathedral's Switch to Orthodox Church of Ukraine

Court Rules in Metropolitan's Favor

According to Главком: A court in Khmelnytskyi has ruled that 1.79 million hryvnias must be returned to Metropolitan Antony (Vasyl Fialka). The cash was seized in July 2023 from the Holy Intercession Cathedral, which had recently transferred its allegiance to the Orthodox Church of Ukraine (OCU). The criminal case, opened on suspicion of theft, was closed on December 2, 2025, due to the absence of evidence that a crime had been committed. This case highlights the legal and financial complexities arising from Ukraine's ongoing religious realignment.

The funds, which had been under arrest since July 2023, were discovered on July 20 during an inspection by an audit commission. The money and some jars were found inside a purple bag that Metropolitan Antony was attempting to remove from the cathedral grounds. Notably, this cathedral had withdrawn from the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate (UOC-MP) and joined the Orthodox Church of Ukraine.

Case Complexity and Broader Implications

After a lengthy investigation, authorities failed to gather sufficient evidence to substantiate any criminal offense. Consequently, no charges were filed, and the proceedings were terminated for lack of a criminal event. The seized cash had been held in PrivatBank throughout this period.

On April 3, 2023, the Holy Synod of the UOC-MP relieved Metropolitan Antony of his duties as head of the diocese. This occurred the day after the cathedral's transition to the OCU. In August 2023, the Metropolitan's lawyer filed an appeal to lift the seizure of the cash, further underscoring the contentious nature of the proceedings.

Thus, the court's decision to return the funds to the Metropolitan marks the final chapter in this high-profile case, which captured significant public and media attention.

This legal dispute illustrates the tense relations between different Orthodox branches in Ukraine, particularly the UOC-MP and the OCU. The cathedral's transfer and the associated financial questions reflect broader socio-religious shifts occurring in the country, often linked to issues of national identity and the ongoing war. The court's ruling may set a precedent for future legal and financial matters within Ukraine's complex church reform process.