Ostapenko: Unknown people provoke pro-Ukrainian monks in Lavra

Maxym Ostapenko. Photo: Screenshot of the Channel 5 broadcast

At a briefing on August 11, when asked whether parishioners would be allowed to worship at the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra, Acting General Director of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra Reserve, Maxym Ostapenko, said that the parishioners of the UOC can now gather for services in the churches of St. Agapit, Sergius of Radonezh, and in the Church of the Resurrection (Afghan). The premises of the Lower Lavra are restricted for entry due to the presence of unidentified persons there.

“We had to ‘regime’ the objects of the Lower Lavra for today's work of the commission,” Ostapenko said.

Later, on the air of Channel 5, he explained what he meant:

“Many objects that were transferred to the monastery began to be used for other purposes, other legal entities began to appear there. And today we see that some of the objects are occupied by far from the representatives of the monastery, who do not introduce themselves, which impede the work of the reserve, impede access to the facilities of the reserve. For this reason, we are forced to turn to law enforcement and suspend access (except for monks and monastery workers) to the territory of the Lower Lavra in order to identify the people staying there, on what grounds and what further actions need to be taken so that they vacate the illegally occupied premises,” he said.

The head of the museum added that he sees that these unknown persons are taking part in provocations both against the reserve and against the "pro-Ukrainian" monks.

“Therefore, decisions were made that until these people vacate the hotel premises, retail, or other premises they illegally occupy, we will not allow unauthorized persons to enter the territory of the Lower Lavra. I hope that this inconvenience will not last very long,” Ostapenko assured.

As the UOJ reported, from August 10, the reserve closes the entrance to the Lower Lavra for everyone, except for priests, monks and monastery workers.

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