DECR: All claims of Ministry of Culture on Lavra are an excuse to expel UOC

Archpriest Mykola Danylevych, deputy head of the UOC Department for External Church Relations. Photo: news.church.ua

Archpriest Mykola Danylevych, deputy head of the UOC Department for External Church Relations. Photo: news.church.ua

The Ministry of Culture and Information Policy is making claims against the Ukrainian Orthodox Church regarding the observance of the agreement on the use of the buildings of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra in order to have an excuse to expel the UOC from the monastery, said Archpriest Mykola Danylevych, deputy head of the UOC DECR.

"All the claims of the Ministry of Culture to the monastery regarding violations in the Lavra are not a reason, they are an excuse. An occasion to expel the UOC from the Lavra," Father Mykola wrote on his Telegram channel.

He stressed that "objectively it is not in the interests of the state, but in the interests of one confession, which poses its interests as the interests of the state and tries to convince the state itself as if it benefits from it”.

As reported, the Culture Ministry published on its website a brief report on "violations" by the UOC, which "may be a reason to terminate the agreement on the free use of the buildings and other property" of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra.

Volodymyr-Volynskyi Eparchy marks 30 years since restoration

The Pantanassa Icon and relics of Prince Volodymyr have arrived in Kovel and will visit churches across the Volodymyr-Volynskyi Eparchy to mark the 30th anniversary of the restoration of the episcopal see.

Bukovyna faithful bring humanitarian aid to Kherson region residents

The UOC’s Chernivtsi Eparchy delivered food to Holy Spirit Cathedral in Kherson.

Ukraine must have its own faith: Poroshenko's party lays out peace terms

Poroshenko’s party European Solidarity described church policy as a matter of national sovereignty and said there can be no compromises in this area.

432 UOC churches damaged in Ukraine during war, report says

According to the Religion on Fire project, 807 religious buildings in Ukraine have been damaged or destroyed as a result of hostilities.

DESS official gives number of clergy exempt from mobilization in Ukraine

A DESS representative said the actual number of clergy exempt from mobilization is significantly lower than the number of religious organizations designated as critical.

Cabinet keeps gas prices unchanged for religious organizations

The Cabinet has fixed gas prices for religious organizations through the end of the 2026–2027 heating season.