Shevchuk: Once Pochaiv Lavra is demoscovized, authorities should recall us

Head of the UGCC S. Shevchuk. Photo: screenshot from the "We Are Ukraine" channel

The head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church (UGCC), Sviatoslav Shevchuk, stated in an interview with the "We Are Ukraine" channel that his church lays claims to some of Ukraine's main Orthodox shrines – the Saint Sophia Cathedral and the Pochaiv Lavra.

He assured that the issue is "not about property, but about presence." "Saint Sophia of Kyiv is our cathedral. And this shrine today cannot belong exclusively to any one denomination," emphasized the head of the UGCC.

Shevchuk also declared his claims to the Pochaiv Lavra, stating that "before its Moscovization, it was a monastery of Basilian monks of our Church." However, he did not mention that the Pochaiv Lavra was an Orthodox monastery for nearly 500 years before the Basilians arrived.

"Therefore, it will be fair if the authorities consider how to manage this shrine after its demoscovization. I believe we have every right for the state to take us into account," said the head of the UGCC. According to him, it is important to remember that during the time the Pochaiv Lavra was under Uniate control, "the modern Ukrainian language was born."

Previously, the UOJ reported that, according to Shevchuk, the UGCC is laying claims to the Saint Sophia Cathedral, the Pochaiv Lavra, and the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra.

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