Yuri Shukhevich demands to audit Ukrainian Lavras
Yuri Shukhevich
MP from the "Radical Party" faction Yuri Shukhevich was concerned about the property of Orthodox shrines of the UOC. On his Facebook page, Shukhevich published a parliamentary appeal demanding that the authorities should "count and register historical and cultural values" kept in the Pochaev and Kiev-Pechersk Lavras. In the document of September 4, a former nationalist leader of the UNA-UNSO (the Ukrainian National Assembly – Ukrainian People's Self-Defence) refers to media reports that the Lavra is allegedly "preparing to export the church property".
In this regard, the people's deputy called on the authorities not only to carry out an audit but also "to provide round-the-clock control over the export of property from these and other religious buildings under the control of the UOC MP".
"We urge society not to be indifferent and, not relying on power, resolutely protect our spirituality, our history," Shukhevich said on Facebook.
Earlier, some media circulated the false information on the supposed export of the church property from the Pochaev Lavra to Russia. UOC officials refuted this information, calling it "a bare-faced lie".
As the UOJ reported, the other day the head of the UOC KP Filaret met with the acting director of the "Kiev-Pechersk Lavra" reserve Alexander Rudnik and demanded the transfer of Lavra building 19 to the Kiev Patriarchate. He insisted that this should be done shortly.
In turn, Hegumeness Seraphima, abbess of the Odessa St. Michael's Convent, chairman of the Synodal Committee of the UOC "Church and Culture", stressed that the faithful will defend the shrines of the UOC until their last breath.
Read also
Petition Warns Canada’s Hate Speech Law Could Criminalize Scripture
Thousands of Canadians have signed a petition urging the Liberal government to drop proposed hate-speech changes that critics warn could criminalize quoting the Bible and other religious texts.
JD Vance: Criticizing Israel Is Not Antisemitism
Vice President JD Vance said opposing Israeli policies is not the same as antisemitism, sparking debate over where criticism of Israel ends and hatred of Jews begins.
First Orthodox Prayer Book Published in Indonesian Language
The first Orthodox prayer book in Indonesian has been published and presented in Bekasi, providing local faithful and new converts with a vital resource for prayer and liturgical life.
OCA Joins Legal Challenge to Illinois Abortion Referral Law
Amicus brief argues mandate violates religious freedom and compels pro-life providers to contradict their faith.
EXCLUSIVE: Leaked Ukrainian Memo Says Religious Freedom is ‘Achilles Heel’
In an emergency strategy meeting held in response to the Society of St. John's Day of Action, D.C.-based Ukrainian lobbyists acknowledged the weight of the religious freedom issue as it pertains to the Ukrainian government’s public perception.
Historic $2.9 Million Bequest Strengthens Greek Orthodox Foundation
The Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Chicago Foundation has received a record $2.9 million bequest from the late Andy Efthim, a devoted layman whose faith-filled generosity will support the Church’s mission for generations.