Pochaiv Lavra accuses Ministry of Culture Commission of illegal inventory

Holy Dormition Pochaiv Lavra. Photo: uk.wikipedia.org

The press service of the Dormition Pochaiv Lavra issued a statement expressing its disagreement with the inventory of property initiated by the Kremenets-Pochayiv State Historical and Architectural Reserve. According to a letter from the reserve, the inventory was scheduled to take place from December 11, 2024, to January 30, 2025. However, the Lavra argues that such actions are unlawful.

“The agreement dated December 12, 2003, does not provide for the inventory of movable property,” representatives of the Lavra emphasized. They noted that under the 2003 transfer agreement, the monastery was not handed monuments of easel or monumental art, including church items. Therefore, they consider the reserve’s demands unfounded:
“Stocktaking of church items located in the Dormition and Trinity Cathedrals and monastic cells is illegal.”

The press service also noted that during the previous inspection in 2018, an inventory list from 1967 was used, which included 58 pieces of applied art. “The state has no legal ownership documents for other church items,” the statement said.

The Lavra believes that the directive for the inventory, issued by the state secretary of the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Information Policy (MKSK), exceeds the secretary’s authority and does not apply to their property:
“We object to the arbitrary and illegal inventory of church items in the possession of the Holy Dormition Pochaiv Lavra.”

Earlier, the UOJ reported that the Pochaiv Lavra representative explained why it did not allow the Ministry of Culture commission to enter.

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