RETURN OF PROPERTY OF THE RUSSIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH: HISTORICAL AND LEGAL ASPECTS AND CONTEMPORARY CHALLENGES

Olikhov Dmitry Vladimirovich

This article provides a comprehensive analysis of the process of restitution of religious property in contemporary Russia, examining it in the context of historical continuity and current state-church relations. The historical and legal aspects of the study cover the period of large-scale nationalization and confiscation of church property during the Soviet years, which led not only to a radical change in ownership but also to profound functional deformation of the properties, many of which were adapted for educational, healthcare, and cultural purposes. The author identifies key challenges arising in the implementation of church property restitution and proposes specific mechanisms for minimizing risks. The conclusion substantiates the conclusion that successful restitution is only possible with a systemic balance of interests between the state, the Church, and society, where property return becomes a tool for restoring historical justice without compromising the social and scientific functions of the properties.

Keywords:restitution, Russian Orthodox Church, nationalization, Federal Law No. 2 327-FZ, cultural heritage, state-church relations, property rights.