Ministry of Justice to inspect 178 sites on Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra territory
The Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra. Photo: vremya.press
The Justice Ministry of Ukraine will check 178 facilities on the territory of Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra used by the UOC, hromadske.ua reports.
On 9 December 2022, the Ukrainian Cabinet of Ministers instructed it to check within two months whether there are legal grounds and whether the conditions of using the property on the territory of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra National Reserve are complied with.
On December 28, 2022, the Ministry of Justice sent a letter to the Ministry of Culture with a request to provide the full addresses of immovable property and cadastral numbers of land plots on the territory of Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra. The Ministry of Culture and Information Policy provided this information on 19 January 2022. The list contains 178 names of both the Upper and Lower Lavra.
An MP and the deputy head of the parliamentary Committee for Humanitarian and Information Policy, Yevheniya Kravchuk, said that the Ministry of Justice will check the UOC’s lease of the Lower Lavra property, explaining that the facilities of the Lower Lavra were transferred to the UOC in perpetual use under Prime Minister Mykola Azarov.
"The contract is written in such a way that in fact, the state cannot initiate its termination even in court. The way out could be a check on the observance of the law because it is no secret that construction on the Lavra territory was in full swing," Kravchuk said.
As reported, the directorate of the Reserve said that now the Ministry of Culture will decide which communities will pray in the Lavra.
Read also
OCA Clergy Gather for Winter Synaxis Focused on Renewal and Resilience
More than 100 OCA clergy gathered online for the Winter 2025 Synaxis to pray, learn, and reflect on sustaining pastoral ministry and avoiding burnout through renewal in Christ.
Trump Administration Moves to Ban Federally Funded Transgender Procedures for Minors
The Trump administration is moving to bar federally funded hospitals from performing transgender medical procedures on minors, citing evidence of harm and a duty to protect children.
Bp. Theodosius: Ukraine's Authorities Classify Icons as Works of Art and Relics as Mummies
ROCOR hierarch links current policies toward holy sites and clergy to Soviet-era repression, calls for prayer and respect for religious freedom.
Society of St. John's Day of Action Gives Hope Persecution of UOC May Subside, Analyst Says
Political scientist says congressional outreach and high-level U.S. statements signal possible shift in response to persecution of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church.
Catholic Host of 'Roots of Orthodoxy' Says Orthodox Apologists are 'Disgusting', 'Trash'
"You Orthodox apologists are absolutely freaking disgusting," Cabada said. "You're a disgusting human being. You're trash. I'm not scared to say that."
Rep. Bacon: 'I Don't Think the UOC Takes Orders from Russia'
Earlier this week, the congressman rejected an opportunity for dialogue with members of the Society of St. John who visited his office despite them holding the same viewpoint.