Court postpones the case of believers’ non-admission to Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra

Lawyers of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra and UOC believers in front of the Kyiv Pechersk Court. Photo: a video screenshot of Archpriest Nikita Chekman’s TG channel

On 24 January 2024, the Pechersk District Court of Kyiv considered the lawsuit of a UOC parishioner against the National Reserve "Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra" regarding the non-admission of believers to the territory of the monastery, reports the Lavra’s lawyer Archpriest Nikita Chekman on his Telegram channel.

According to him, the court rescheduled the hearing for April 7, 2024.

The lawyer also said that during the meeting the representative of the Reserve behaved extremely inadequate and insulted the UOC believer who filed the lawsuit.

"He began to insult the plaintiff, called her almost a victim who filed a lawsuit. This is extremely unethical, and such actions violate the rules of lawyer ethics on the part of the lawyer, it is unacceptable," he said.

Archpriest Nikita Chekman also said that the court granted the plaintiff's party's motion and provided additional time to prepare a response to the Reserve's statement of defence.

"The Reserve sent a statement of defence only on 16 January 2024. This was done with a clear violation of the deadline after the opening of the proceedings," he added.

As reported, the court postponed the hearings on the unlawful deprivation of Lavra monks' right to use the Assumption and Refectory Churches.

Read also

ROCOR Priest Reflects on Trip to Capitol Hill

Archpriest Victor Boldewskul participated in the Society of St. John of Shanghai and San Francisco's Day of Action to raise awareness about the persecution of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church.

Hundreds of Chinese Christians Arrested in Pre-Christmas Crackdown

Hundreds of Chinese Christians face spending Christmas in detention after authorities launched a sweeping pre-holiday crackdown on churches under Beijing’s campaign to control religious life.

Ukraine Adviser: UOC Not Banned, but Offered a 'Choice' of Jurisdictions

A Ukrainian presidential adviser said the UOC is not banned but pressured to choose between joining the OCU, submitting to Constantinople, or remaining unregistered, while dismissing international concerns as propaganda.

Indiana Reports 98% Drop in Abortions Under Stricter Law

Indiana’s latest health report shows a 98% drop in reported abortions under stricter laws, though dozens still occurred under legal exceptions and concerns persist about unreported pill abortions.

Armenian Apostolic Church Pushes Back on Political Encroachment

The Armenian Apostolic Church plans to appeal to international bodies to resist government interference and defend its clergy and sacred relics.

Attempted Takeover at Armenian Etchmiadzin Cathedral Thwarted by Faithful

Supporters of Armenian PM Pashinyan attempted to storm Etchmiadzin Cathedral amid calls for the Catholicos’s resignation but were blocked by parishioners and security.