UOC Legal Dept comments on MinCulture's threat to seal Lavra's buildings

Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra. Photo: sportishka.com

The Legal Department of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church stated that the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra National Reserve does not have any grounds for sealing the monastery buildings, reports news.church.ua.

The UOC will challenge the unilateral termination of the contract in court, the Legal Department added.

"Now the court has not made any decision on this matter. Accordingly, the reserve does not have any legal grounds for such actions, and the demand to vacate the buildings and hand over the keys to the reserve is illegal and should be considered as arbitrariness," the UOC’s Legal Department noted.

The Legal Department of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church called on the reserve and the members of the commission not to violate the law and wait for the legal decision of the court.

As a reminder, on June 30, 2023, a letter was sent to the address of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra from the reserve, in which it is said that a commission was created to seal the premises. The commission will start its work on July 4.

In accordance with the work plan of the specified commission, it is planned to seal Buildings Nos. 45, 54, 57, 71, 69. The reserve asks the brothers of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra to vacate the premises and hand over the keys to these buildings. In case of refusal, the locks will be replaced, and the buildings (premises) will be sealed off.

As previously reported by the UOJ, the Ministry of Culture threatened to seal five buildings of the Lower Lavra.

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