The National Historical and Ethnographic Reserve “Pereiaslav” and the religious community of the parish of St Michael’s Cathedral formalised access to the building on 24 August, signing an official agreement that allows the parish free and unhindered use of the church at designated hours and by a pre-agreed timetable. The contract was signed by acting director Marina Navalna and Metropolitan Oleksandr, head of the Pereiaslav‑Vyshnevetska eparchy. Present at the signing were protoierey Valeriy Zhiguts and the reserve’s scientific secretary Ihor Haidaienko.
The move follows earlier steps by the parish: on 2 June 2026 Metropolitan Oleksandr celebrated the first Divine Liturgy in the cathedral after the community joined the Pereiaslav‑Vyshnevetska eparchy. St Michael’s is one of Pereiaslav’s oldest preserved buildings — the site has hosted a church since the 11th century, a stone cathedral consecrated in 1089, and the present building was erected in 1743–1750. In the 20th century the building was used for museum and scientific‑cultural purposes; the new agreement restores regular religious services under a scheduled access arrangement.