Ministry of Culture tightens schedule for parishioners stay in Lower Lavra

Entrance to the territory of the Lower Lavra. Photo: lavra.ua

From July 5, 2023, the entrance to the lower territory of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra will be available only through the central gate, and the schedule will be significantly tightened. Now it will be possible to get to the Lower Lavra only from 9:00 to 18:00 (until July 5 it was from 5:30 to 20:00). This is stated in a letter from the Ministry of Culture, published in the Telegram channel of the lawyer of the Lavra, Archpriest Nikita Chekman.

Also from July 5, the entrance to the territory of the Lower Lavra through the temple of the Life-Giving Spring will be closed.

The document says that it will be possible to take out property and personal belongings from the territory of the Lavra only from 10:00 to 17:00 upon a separate request and agreement of the Reserve.

One of the brethren of the Lavra told the UOJ that the Ministry of Culture could have taken such a decision to seal the buildings of the monastery while there are no believers on its territory.

“Information is being circulated among the monks that several premises of the Lavra can be sealed until 9:00 am so that believers cannot enter the territory. We do not know whether it will be at 7:00 or at 8:00, but there is such information,” the source said.

As reported by the UOJ, the Lavra's lawyer called the actions of the commission of the Ministry of Culture on sealing the buildings of the monastery unlawful.

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