Legal Department says why MinCult’s restrictions in Lavra are discriminatory

Announcement of the Ministry of Culture in front of the entrance to the Lower Lavra. Photo: UOJ

On April 26, 2023, the Legal Department of the UOC stated on its website that limiting the time for believers to stay in the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra is discrimination on religious grounds.

The report explains that worship services on the territory of the Lavra begin at 5.30 am, and evening services end after 7 pm, "which is a centuries-old worldwide Orthodox practice." In addition, "the clergy and believers need additional time to prepare for the start of services and time after they are performed." The UOC recalled that "church services are the main thing for which the temples of the monastery are intended."

Accordingly, "the restrictions established by the National Reserve regarding the entry / exit of visitors to the territory of the Lower Lavra from 8.00 to 18.00 are an unlawful obstacle to worship."

The Legal Department is convinced that "the illegal actions of officials of a state institution are direct interference in the internal affairs of the Holy Dormition Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra Monastery."

The UOC recalled that Art. 35 of the Constitution grants every Ukrainian the right to freely perform, solely or collectively, religious cults and ritual rites, to conduct religious activities.

“State institutions have no right to interfere in the activities of religious organizations carried out within the framework of the law. According to international law, the state does not have the right to violate the autonomy of a religious community and interfere in its internal affairs in any way,” the statement said.

Earlier, the UOJ reported that the Ministry of Culture restricted entry to the territory of the Lower Lavra.

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