Culture Ministry: Access to Lower Lavra will be opened for "military needs"

Avraamiy Lotysh conducts a service in the "Life-Giving Spring" Church, taken from the brethren of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra. August 16, 2024. Photo: mcip.gov.ua

The Ministry of Culture reported that on August 16, a military church was opened in the "Life-Giving Spring" Church, which was taken from the brethren of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra. Although the Lower Lavra is closed to the public, it will be opened for "military needs".

"The church is not a historical structure. It was previously a water tower, which was reconstructed in the early 2000s. The church is located on the territory of the Lower Lavra, which is closed to the general public but will be open for military needs," the Ministry of Culture stated.

According to Maksym Ostapenko, General Director of the National Reserve, the Lavra has been implementing a "Spiritual Recovery Through Culture" program for the military for the second year, and the operation of a church for the military is a logical continuation of this program.

"This is a place where daily prayers for the army and victory will be held. The presence of Ukrainian military chaplains in the Lower Lavra is another powerful step towards establishing this spiritual space as a national shrine," Ostapenko said.

It was noted that services in the church will be conducted by military chaplains together with the monastery brethren led by Avraamiy Lotysh.

As previously reported by the UOJ, on August 13, information appeared in the media that the "Life-Giving Spring" Church in the Lavra had been sealed by the reserve. Later, the press service of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra confirmed that the church in honor of the "Life-Giving Spring" icon of the Mother of God had been sealed and taken from the Lavra's brethren. According to the statement, this event deeply saddened both the brethren and the numerous pilgrims, especially those faithful to the UOC, who participated in the sacraments conducted in this church.

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