Court hearing on Upper Lavra postponed until May
Court session on the Upper Lavra. Photo: Telegram channel "Fortetsia Lavra"
On April 28, 2025, a hearing was held at the Northern Commercial Court of Appeal regarding the case of the Upper Lavra, according to the Fortetsia Lavra Telegram channel.
During the session, monks of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra submitted a petition as a third party not previously involved in the case at the first instance. They argued that the Ministry of Culture’s refusal to extend the lease of the Upper Lavra churches to the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC) violates the right to freely practice religion and prevents the conducting of religious rites. The court responded that previous rulings did not infringe upon the rights and freedoms of the claimant.
Due to the prolonged session, Lavra’s lawyer, Archpriest Mykyta Chekman, filed a motion to postpone the hearing, noting that he, as a priest, needed to attend a church service. The court granted the motion. The hearing was rescheduled for May 12, 2025, at 3:20 PM.
Earlier, the UOJ reported that the hearing on the Upper Lavra had already been postponed once on April 2, 2025.
Read also
SBU told Phanar many UOC bishops would join OCU in 2018, report says
According to a Phanar representative’s account, Ukrainian security services told the Constantinople delegation that many UOC representatives were prepared to attend the OCU’s “Unification Council.” In the end, only two did.
Catholic cardinal visits Ukrainian POWs during trip to Russia
During three days of consultations in Moscow, Cardinal Matteo Zuppi discussed prospects for ending the war in Ukraine.
Ukrainians help restore Serbian Orthodox church in Paris
Orthodox Ukrainians have become regular parishioners of St. Sava Church in Paris and have taken part in its restoration.
Bulgarian Church clergy and laity oppose Phanar head’s visit
More than 2,000 clergy and laity have called for the Ecumenical Patriarch’s visit to be canceled, citing disagreement with his actions and concerns that the visit could legitimize schism.
Unknown intruders break down doors at two UOC churches in Sloviansk
Archbishop Paisiy said OCU activists are suspected of breaking into the churches in Sloviansk, and police have launched an investigation.
Sviatohirsk Lavra prays for murdered monk on 40th day after death
The brethren of the Sviatohirsk Lavra held a memorial service for murdered Monk Varsonofiy, calling on the faithful to pray for the newly departed monk.