Zelensky confirms Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra remains in use of UOC

Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra. Photo: unn.com.ua

On August 6, 2020, President of Ukraine Vladimir Zelensky published a response to electronic petition No. 22/094164-эп "Leave the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra for the use of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church and reject petition No. 22/092966-эп", posted on the website of the Head of State.

The President of Ukraine recalled that the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra was once transferred to the free use of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church and so remains in the use of the UOC.

“The Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine is constitutionally recognized as the body entrusted with the management of state property in accordance with the law (paragraph 5 of Article 116). The corresponding powers of the Government of Ukraine are also enshrined in the first part of Article 20 of the Law of Ukraine "On the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine".

By the Order of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine dated July 11, 2013, No. 519-р, buildings and structures in Lavrskaya Street, 11 and Lavrskaya Street, 15 in Kyiv, according to a certain list, were transferred to the free use of the Holy Dormition Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra (monastery) of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church,” the President said in his reply.

Commenting on the request of the believers expressed in the petition "to prevent attempts to illegally seize the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra and to reject petition No. 22/092966-эп, the purpose of which is to clearly incite inter-confessional enmity," the President wrote: “Regarding the rejection of electronic petition No. 22/094164-эп, it’s noteworthy that the above electronic petition received the required number of signatures in support of it, was considered and answered in the prescribed manner. The Law of Ukraine “On Citizens' Appeals” does not provide for a mechanism for rejecting electronic petitions."

As reported by the UOJ, earlier the petition to defend the Kyiv-Caves Lavra from seizure received the required number of signatures.

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