Metropolitan Clement about Kyiv Caves Lavra: UOC will act within the law

Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra. Photo: rbc.ru

The Chairman of the Synodal Information and Educational Department of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, Metropolitan Clement (Vecheria) of Nizhyn and Pryluky, said that the UOC would act in accordance with Ukrainian legislation in relation to the Kyiv Caves Lavra.

In an interview with the UOJ correspondent, Metropolitan Clement commented on the demands of the Ukrainian authorities for the monks of the UOC to vacate the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra before March 29.

“Our actions will be in line with the legislation of Ukraine. To date, there are no legal grounds for the monks of the UOC to leave the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra,” the bishop said.

At the same time, Metropolitan Clement suggested that "illegal actions will be committed by certain officials."

“Therefore, we will do everything to prevent the violation of the constitutional rights of the believers of the UOC on March 29,” the bishop told the UOJ journalist.

Earlier, the UOJ wrote that Metropolitan Clement expressed regret over the message from the presidential press secretary that Volodymyr Zelenskyy does not plan to meet with members of the Holy Synod of the UOC.

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