Supreme Court to review legality of Zelensky's order against Pechersk Lavra

Zelensky's speech at the Refectory Church of the Lavra on December 2024. Photo: President's website

On May 1, 2025, a session took place at the Northern Appellate Economic Court regarding the lawsuit filed by the Kyiv-Pechersk Monastery against the Reserve concerning the use of the Lower Lavra. As reported by the monastery's lawyer, Archpriest Nikita Chekman, after the hearings, the court discontinued the proceedings on the Lower Lavra case.

According to the lawyer, the hearings were postponed "until the Supreme Court considers the case concerning the appeal of the presidential decree, after which actions against the Holy Dormition Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra began."

The process of terminating the contract with the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra began in March 2023. A commission from the Ministry of Culture, created by the decree of President Volodymyr Zelensky, allegedly found violations of the terms of the lease agreement, which was signed in 2013 and provided that the monastery had the right to use the religious buildings and other property, which is state-owned, free of charge.

Archpriest Nikita reported that the court issued a reasoned decision, stating that the Ministry of Culture's inspection and the so-called termination of the contract actually occurred following the presidential decree.

Now, the legality of issuing such a decree will be reviewed by the highest court in Ukraine.

"Therefore, we will fight in the Supreme Court, we will defend the truth, God is with us," added the UOC human rights advocate.

As reported by the UOJ, a TSN journalist stated that only Ministry of Culture staff could be monks in the Lavra.

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