Court hearing on the eviction of monks from Lavra postponed

The court on eviction of monks from the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra. Photo: video screenshot

The case concerning the termination of the agreement on the use of premises by the brethren of the Lower Lavra was being considered in the Northern Appellate Commercial Court. The court session has been rescheduled for April 25, 2024, at 3:00 PM, according to the lawyer of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra, Archpriest Nikita Chekman.

During the hearing, representatives of the Ministry of Culture stated that no one can live in the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra. However, representatives of the OCU currently reside in one of the buildings of the Lavra, which does not raise objections from the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra Reserve. The Lavra's lawyers believe that by expelling the monks from the monastery, the Ministry of Culture violates their right to housing and also violates the right to education, as under pressure from the authorities, seminarians and teaching staff of the KDAIS had to leave the monastery's territory.

Additionally, during the hearing, the court rejected the Lavra's lawyers' motion to increase the number of judges. Meanwhile, believers held a prayer vigil outside the building where the case of the KPL monks was being heard.

As the UOJ reported, the composition of the judicial panel for this case had already been completely changed before.

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