Lawyer: MinCult actions in the Near and Far Caves of the Lavra are illegal

A representative of the Ministry of Culture is changing the lock at the entrance to the Near Caves in the Lavra. Photo: screenshot t.me/nikita_chekman

The lawyer of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra, Archpriest Nikita Chekman, stated on his Telegram that the actions of the representatives of the Reserve and the Ministry of Culture of Ukraine on the territory of the monastery on the morning of March 28, 2025, are illegal.

On that day, a commission arrived at the Lower Caves of the Lavra for "inventory and inspection" of the holy relics. One of the employees of the Reserve came with a grinder to cut the locks. Later, representatives of the Ministry of Culture also entered the Far Caves.

The lawyer reminded that a court process is currently ongoing, and the monastery has repeatedly appealed to the court with claims challenging the actions of the authorities.

"Without final court decisions, all these actions by the Ministry of Culture and the Reserve are illegal," emphasized Father Nikita.

Earlier, the UOJ reported that the Ministry of Culture's commission arrived with the police to "inventory" the relics in the Lavra.

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