UOC being expelled from Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra
The Dormition Cathedral of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra. Photo: lavra.ua
On March 10, 2023, the Ukrainian Orthodox Church received a warning from the National Reserve "Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra", represented by the Acting Director Oleksandr Rudnyk, about the termination of the contract concluded on July 19, 2013, for free use by the UOC of religious buildings and other state property located on the reserve's territory. The reserve's warning was posted on the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra website.
In the letter, Rudnyk refers to the Decree of the President of Ukraine No. 820/2022 "On the Decisions of the National Security and Defence Council of Ukraine of December 1, 2022, 'On Certain Aspects of the Activities of Religious Organizations in Ukraine and the Application of Personal Special Economic and Other Restrictive Measures (Sanctions)'".
On December 23, 2022, the Interagency Working Group for the Preparation of Proposals and Recommendations on the Organization of the Execution of Certain Tasks Related to the Activities of Religious Organizations in Ukraine was created by the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine under Decree No. 1416. During its work, the Interagency Working Group found that the Ukrainian Orthodox Church had violated the terms of the contract for the use of state property.
"Taking into account the conclusions of the Interagency Working Group and the letter of the Ministry of Culture and Information Policy of Ukraine of 09.03.2023, No. 06/34/2234-23, based on clause 8.1. of the Contract, the Reserve warns of the termination of the Contract from March 29, 2023," the warning stated.
The Ukrainian Orthodox Church has been notified that it must leave the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra by March 29, 2023. After that, a commission will be set up to receive state property.
As reported, there have been announcements circulating on the Internet inviting residents of Lviv to attend the "liturgy" of Epifaniy Dumenko at the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra on March 12, the day of the Synaxis of the Kyiv Caves Fathers.
Read also
U.S. bishops call for Church unity on Sunday of the Triumph of Orthodoxy
The Assembly of Bishops of the USA has issued an encyclical for the Triumph of Orthodoxy on Church unity, veneration of icons, and support for pan-Orthodox ministry.
OCU organizes harassment of businessman for aiding UOC
Hryshchuk called for boycotting the business of the entrepreneur who built a UOC church in the Rivne region.
Head of Lavra Reserve: I believe UOC monks will move to the OCU
Ostapenko said there are 140 UOC monks and novices on the territory of the Lower Lavra.
"Shield of Judah": Biblical name given to operations against Iran
A joint Israeli–US military operation against Iran has received a code name referencing the biblical forefather of the Jewish royal line.
In Syria, Islamic militants behead statues of Christ and Virgin Mary
Vandals beheaded statues of the Lord and the Mother of God at the entrance to the "Cave of the Virgin Mary" in the village of Al-Basiya near the coastal city of Banias in Syria.
Icon with particle of Gabriel Urgebadze's relics to be brought to Uzhhorod from Georgia
The holy icon, painted in Georgia, will be brought to the Holy Trinity Church of the Mukachevo Eparchy of the UOC.