Head of UOC Legal Department: deputies of Ternopil regional council press the authorities to break the law
The requirement of the Ternopil regional council of deputies to confiscate from the Ukrainian Orthodox Church the Holy Dormition Pochayiv Lavra Monastery and make it the reserve indicates that they press the authorities to break the law. The Lavra is an integral property complex, which is in legitimate use of the Monastery of the UOC, said the head of the Legal Department of the UOC Archpriest Alexander Bakhov to the UOJ.
"I do not think that the deputies are guided by good intentions to save the famous landmark, because there is no need in it. They would better remember in what neglected state the Pochayiv Lavra was transferred to the UOC," said the lawyer.
According to Bakhov, the statement that the UOC, using Lavra, violates the rights of other churches sounds rather strange. "In this regard I have another question: schismatics, using Sophia, violate the rights of other Churches, don’t they? "Take from one, give to others" – don’t you think that we have already gone through it?" he asked rhetorically.
The cleric stressed that in its content this decision does not produce any legal consequences, and the requirements to deprive the UOC of the title right to the Lavra are unreasonable and unfounded. "To be honest, I would even consider this decision null and void. Just someone really wants to incite religious hatred in the Ternopil region", summed up the head of the Legal Department of the UOC.
We recall that the Ternopil regional council proposed to confiscate the Pochayiv Lavra from the Ukrainian Orthodox Church and turn the shrine into Kremenets- Pochayiv State Historical-Architectural Reserve in order to "restore the constitutional rights of citizens to freedom of personal philosophy and religion in the temple complex of the UOC (Moscow Patriarchate) in Pochayiv ". All 54 deputies of the regional council voted for such a decision on May 12.
Read also: Ternopol Regional Council demands to grab Pochaev Lavra from UOC
Read also
A Ukrainian film festival will be held at St. Sophia of Kyiv
The National Reserve "St. Sophia of Kyiv" will host film screenings, exhibitions, and discussions about the war, veterans, and "cultural genocide."
A memorial plaque to a Kabbalist rabbi was unveiled at a Kyiv detention center
An entire room in the detention center was allocated for the rabbi's memorial plaque.
Sweden calls for closure of mosques with Islamist propaganda
The Sweden Democrats demand the closure of mosques with radical preaching, an end to their funding, and the deportation of Islamists.
BOC theologian comments on suspension of cleric who concelebrated with OCU
Theologian Valentin Velchev noted that the Bulgarian cleric had previously concelebrated with OCU representatives despite Patriarch Daniel's prohibition.
Kyiv Patriarchate elects former OCU cleric as 'bishop'
The former OCU cleric was received into the Kyiv Patriarchate together with his parish.
Dumenko tells Polish politicians how to overcome historical divisions
Epifaniy Dumenko proposed using John Paul II’s approach to resolve historical disputes.