Political expert: To take away Lavra is unethical, the state didn't build it

A religious procession of the UOC to the Lavra in 2021. Photo: UOJ

Ruslan Bortnik, the Director of the "Ukrainian Institute of Politics," in an interview with journalist and blogger Oleksandr Shelest, called the government's actions regarding the seizure of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra unethical.

"Even from an ethical standpoint, the state did not build the Lavra: neither the Ukrainian nor the Soviet one. The Lavra was established by a religious denomination. Even from this historical perspective, the state's ownership rights to the Lavra are very... (questionable – Ed.)," the politologist said.

In his opinion, there are many emotions and hype around the Lavra, as well as people who are trying to "warm their hands" and "grab pieces for themselves, stauropegias, and everything else".

He stated that he is a supporter of an independent Church in Ukraine. "But then independent from everyone," the political scientist stressed.

Ruslan Bortnik believes the authorities are doing with the Lavra brings great harm to Ukraine.

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