Lawyer: Aggressive group holds illegal rally at Lavra for a fortnight

Participants of an illegal action on the territory of Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra. Photo: a screenshot of UOJ video

Contrary to the law "On the legal regime of martial law", which prohibits mass gatherings and actions during wartime, a group of aggressive people has been holding a rally on the territory of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra for a fortnight, said Lavra's lawyer, Archpriest Nikita Chekman.

"A group of aggressively-minded persons has been trying to interfere in the last two weeks to hold services, accompanying their actions with loud slogans, songs and dances on the territory of the shrine," the lawyer said. “We believe that there is a rally, the purpose of which is blatant aggression towards the clergy and believers of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church. We note that in connection with the introduction of martial law in Ukraine, peaceful assemblies, rallies, marches, demonstrations and other public events are prohibited.”

The archpriest has published the response of the Kyiv City Military Administration to his lawyer's enquiries regarding the established restrictions on holding mass rallies and whether the city authorities were warned about the rally at the Lavra by its organizers. The response said that neither the KCMA nor the Kyiv City Council "received any appeals or reports about holding rallies or any other events on the territory of the Kyiv-Pechersk Holy Dormition Lavra. Accordingly, the lawyer stressed, the authorities did not give any permission for mass actions at the monastery.

As reported, radicals are calling on their supporters to "cleanse the Lavra of the Russian world" on Good Thursday.

Read also

Dumenko: The enemy has destroyed Ukranian liturgical language for centuries

Epifaniy assured that "imperial invaders" burned Ukrainian liturgical literature.

TRC releases previously detained priest of UOC's Ovruch Eparchy

Believers are thanked for their support and prayers.

Vance: A broken culture tends to turn young people into androgynous idiots

U.S. Vice President stated that modern society seeks to erase differences between genders, shaping people "who think the same, talk the same, and act the same."

In Volyn, UOC priests receive gratitude from AFU for volunteering

The clergy noted that they have always been supported by parishioners and communities willing to share their last resources.

Vance: We don't worry about earthly rewards but how we're doing before God

The Vice President of America shared that he is doing his best to follow God’s will.

Vance: Death is a bad thing, but losing your soul is much more terrible

"The fundamental tenant of the Christian faith is that the Son of God became man, He died and then He raised Himself from the dead," the U.S. Vice President reminded Americans.