Law Dept: Refusal to extend the lease of Upper Lavra will be appealed in court
Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra. Photo: news.church.ua
Acting head of the National Reserve "Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra" Oleksandr Rudnyk sent an official letter to Metropolitan Pavel (Lebed) about the non-prolongation of the contract for holding services in the Assumption Cathedral and in the Refectory Church with the Refectory Chamber of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra.
The letter says that the contract is not extended based on the recommendations of the Ministry of Culture and Information Policy of Ukraine, and is also guided by the Decree of the President of December 1, 2022 on the "Decision of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine ‘On certain aspects of the activities of religious organizations in Ukraine and the application of special economic and other restrictive measures (sanctions)’."
According to the letter, the services are to be completed by December 31, 21:00. After that, an ad hoc commission will work in the temples to deal with the acceptance and transfer of state property.
The head of the Legal Department of the UOC, Archpriest Alexander Bakhov, said that the unwillingness of the authorities to extend the lease of the Lavra is based on personal convictions, as well as personal sanctions.
“How can personal sanctions affect Lavra’s life?” wonders Archpriest Alexander.
“We will dispute this issue legally. We will use judicial protection and, if possible, hold services where possible,” said the head of the Legal Department of the UOC during a press conference “Results of the UOC’s activities in 2022”, which was held on December 29 in the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra.
As reported by the UOJ, Metropolitan Pavel, the abbot of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra, and the brethren of the monastery addressed the Ukrainian authorities with an open letter regarding "the recent intensified violations of the rights of the monastery and its parishioners."
Read also
Kosovo to enact law restricting Serbian Church, experts say
Analysts warn that the new "Law on Foreigners" in Kosovo could restrict the presence of clergy, believers' access to shrines, and increase pressure on the Serbian community.
Congress Speaker: Demand to introduce Sharia law in USA is a serious problem
The Speaker of the House of Representatives stated that there is growing concern in society about attempts to impose Islamic law, which is incompatible with the American Constitution.
UK government introduces restrictions on "anti-Muslim hostility"
UK authorities have adopted a new definition of "Islamophobia" which, according to experts, could provide Muslims with special protection and restrict freedom of speech.
Dumenko brings icon in Church Slavonic to Ministry of Health
Epifaniy presented cardiologists with an Intercession icon, with inscriptions in Church Slavonic, which his structure calls a "sign of the Moscow tradition".
ISIS supporters carries out terrorist attack at anti-Islamic protest in NY
Near the home of New York's Muslim mayor, radicals threw two makeshift bombs at protesters during an anti-Islamic rally.
Hryshchuk: If UOC hands over its church itself, angle grinders aren't needed
An OCU chaplain called on UOC believers to accept the loss of the shrine for the sake of their own "enlightenment".