Ministry of Culture on how Assumption and Refectory temples to be accessed

Lavra's Assumption and Refectory churches. Photo: UOC

The Ministry of Culture on its website published a new procedure for access to the Assumption and Refectory churches of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra "when performing services, religious rites, ceremonies and processions."

“Now it is required to file an application to the Reserve from the leadership of religious centers (departments) in order to have access to the Assumption Cathedral / Refectory Church to hold religious ceremonies there. Applications from religious centers to perform a memorial service for the fallen defenders of Ukraine must be accompanied by relevant requests from the heads of the Ministry of Defense / Ministry of Internal Affairs / State Border Service / Security Service of Ukraine.

If it is possible to conduct the ceremony (meaning there are no technical, organizational, and other obstacles), the Reserve submits a request for permission to the Ministry of Culture and Information Policy. After receiving the answer from the Ministry, the Reserve informs the inquirer and, if agreed by the Ministry, concludes an agreement with the religious organization to provide access to the Assumption Cathedral / Refectory Church. Access to the ceremony is provided on the terms of the concluded agreement,” the statement specifies.

At the same time, the text of the Ministry of Culture does not say whether the clergy of the UOC can now hold services in these churches. In recent months, Avraamy Lotysh, the Lavra's “abbot” from the OCU, served every Sunday in the Assumption Cathedral, gathering 30-40 people for his “services”.

Earlier, the UOJ wrote that according to Tkachenko, the Ministry of Culture “is restoring normal life in the Lavra” without waiting for a court decision.

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