UOC being expelled from Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra

The Dormition Cathedral of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra. Photo: lavra.ua

On March 10, 2023, the Ukrainian Orthodox Church received a warning from the National Reserve "Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra", represented by the Acting Director Oleksandr Rudnyk, about the termination of the contract concluded on July 19, 2013, for free use by the UOC of religious buildings and other state property located on the reserve's territory. The reserve's warning was posted on the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra website.

In the letter, Rudnyk refers to the Decree of the President of Ukraine No. 820/2022 "On the Decisions of the National Security and Defence Council of Ukraine of December 1, 2022, 'On Certain Aspects of the Activities of Religious Organizations in Ukraine and the Application of Personal Special Economic and Other Restrictive Measures (Sanctions)'".

On December 23, 2022, the Interagency Working Group for the Preparation of Proposals and Recommendations on the Organization of the Execution of Certain Tasks Related to the Activities of Religious Organizations in Ukraine was created by the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine under Decree No. 1416. During its work, the Interagency Working Group found that the Ukrainian Orthodox Church had violated the terms of the contract for the use of state property.

"Taking into account the conclusions of the Interagency Working Group and the letter of the Ministry of Culture and Information Policy of Ukraine of 09.03.2023, No. 06/34/2234-23, based on clause 8.1. of the Contract, the Reserve warns of the termination of the Contract from March 29, 2023," the warning stated.

The Ukrainian Orthodox Church has been notified that it must leave the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra by March 29, 2023. After that, a commission will be set up to receive state property.

As reported, there have been announcements circulating on the Internet inviting residents of Lviv to attend the "liturgy" of Epifaniy Dumenko at the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra on March 12, the day of the Synaxis of the Kyiv Caves Fathers.

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