Ministry of Culture attempts to conduct inventory at Pochaiv Lavra

Hierodeacon Pitirim (center) with representatives of the Ministry of Culture. Photo: Screenshot "Suspilne Ternopil"

On January 17, 2025, representatives of the state commission for inventorying the property of the Kremenets-Pochaiv State Historical-Architectural Reserve made another attempt to inspect and document the property of the Holy Dormition Pochaiv Lavra.

However, Orthodox Christians, together with representatives of the monastery and legal counsel, prevented the commission from proceeding, stating that the Ministry of Culture representatives lacked legal grounds for their actions.

Olha Rutkovska, deputy head of the commission and a representative of the Ministry of Culture, stated that in response to the actions of the faithful, an investigative team was called to the scene to record "obstruction of the commission’s work."

She claimed that the Lavra was allegedly preventing the inventory of state-owned property, which is a national heritage site.

However, representatives of the Lavra argued that they are the legal custodians of the property and use it strictly as intended. Hierodeacon Pitirim emphasized that legal issues must be resolved first.

He explained that the Ministry of Culture had itself neglected to clarify the legal standing of the parties to the agreement. Thus, until it is determined who the lawful successor of property rights is, conducting an inventory is inappropriate.

Hierodeacon Pitirim noted that the Lavra fulfills its contractual obligations and uses the property for its intended purpose. "We are not against oversight or inventory, but we first want to resolve all the relationships in the legal plane," he stressed.

The commission began its work in December 2024, continuing inspections initiated by the Ministry of Culture in June.

Earlier, the UOJ reported that the head of the UGCC, Sviatoslav Shevchuk, stated that after the "de-Moscovization" of the Pochaiv Lavra, the authorities should consider the Uniates.

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