UGCC head: We want access to Pochaiv Lavra

The head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, Sviatoslav Shevchuk. Photo: pravda.com.ua
The Primate of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, Sviatoslav Shevchuk, said that the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church has a historical right to serve at the Pochaiv Lavra.
According to him, the UGCC has no claims to the property of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church but wants to feel at home in the Pochaiv Lavra.
"We don't want to make any property claims to anyone today. But we say that it is a historical spiritual centre of our Church. <...> Therefore, those who will decide who to give access to the opportunity to pray there should take this into account," he told “Ukrainska Pravda” (“The Ukrainian Truth”).
Shevchuk noted that the UGCC has not yet taken any steps to return the Pochaiv Lavra but is ready to enter into dialogue with those who can create the right circumstances for this:
"One thing is a property claim, and another is the right to pray where our ancestors prayed. We don't question the right of state ownership, but we want to have access to this shrine. We are also trying to develop our own rather than waiting for something to be granted to us."
As reported, Culture Minister Oleksandr Tkachenko said that an interdepartmental commission will conduct an inspection of the Pochaiv Lavra.
Read also

Trump to Meet Putin in Alaska for Talks on Ending Ukraine War
Summit set for Aug. 15 could mark first direct U.S.-Russia meeting since 2021, but peace prospects remain uncertain

Court Revives Indiana Teacher’s Religious Rights Lawsuit Over Transgender Name Policy
Appeals court says school failed to show last-name-only approach caused disruption.
Syria: Bomb Attack on Church in Tartus Foiled
Two individuals have been arrested who, according to authorities, were on their way to carry out a terrorist attack.
Trump Brokers Peace Between Armenia and Azerbaijan
The agreement bring an end to a conflict that has been raging for over three decades. The heads of both countries jointly proposed nominating Trump for a Nobel Peace Prize.
Estonian Parliament Refuses to Review Law Targeting the Orthodox Church
The Estonian Parliament (or Riigikogu) declined to revisit the recent law targeting the canonical Church, despite protests by Estonia's president.
Met. Tikhon to Concelebrate with Primate of Macedonian Orthodox Church
The service will mark the OCA’s formal recognition of the Macedonian Orthodox Church, the world’s newest autocephalous Orthodox Church.