Ministry of Culture criticizes work of Lavra Reserve
Head of the Lavra Reserve M. Ostapenko in the Assumption Cathedral. Photo: Facebook of the reserve
On May 26, 2025, a meeting of the Verkhovna Rada Committee on Humanitarian and Information Policy was held in a video conference format. It was attended by the First Deputy Minister of Culture and Strategic Communications Halyna Hryhorenko and Deputy Minister of Culture and Strategic Communications Serhiy Beliaev. This was reported by the press service of the Ministry of Culture and Strategic Communications of Ukraine.
The central topic of discussion was the condition of two of the country's most important historical and cultural complexes – the National Reserves "Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra" and "Saint Sophia of Kyiv".
During the meeting, complaints were voiced against the current management of the Kyiv-Pechersk Reserve. According to ministry representatives, the objects on its territory are in unsatisfactory sanitary, technical, and fire safety conditions. It was also stated that there were “numerous violations of legislation in the field of cultural heritage protection.”
The ministry's working group conducted an inspection, the results of which showed that 21 monuments on the territory of the Lavra are in unsatisfactory or partially unsatisfactory condition, and one is in an emergency state. In 2024–2025, restoration work was started on four sites, but was subsequently suspended and has not been resumed.
In addition, the report mentions cases of the Reserve’s territory being used for commercial and hotel facilities, as well as for parking lots, without proper documentation. According to the ministry, 23 architectural heritage sites lack protection agreements, which poses a threat of further destruction of these unique monuments of spiritual culture.
The head of the parliamentary Committee, Mykyta Poturaev, stated that a separate session will soon be held devoted exclusively to the issue of preserving and managing cultural heritage sites in the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra and Saint Sophia Cathedral.
Earlier, the UOJ wrote about a provocateur attempting to disrupt a service in the Lavra.
Read also
"Stigmatization based on faith": DESS reprimands TSN for story about Muslims
DESS criticized TSN because "the investigation in the "1+1" news story immediately took on an accusatory bias, and the accused themselves were not given a voice."
His Beatitude Onuphry: Through fasting, man returns to Paradise
On Forgiveness Sunday, His Beatitude Metropolitan Onuphry reminded the faithful about Adam's fall and urged them to repent before Great Lent.
Archbishop of Greece speaks about his successor and the Church's future
On the occasion of the 18th anniversary of his leadership of the Greek Church, the Primate gave an interview in which he spoke about relations with the state, the situation in Sinai, and the challenges of the modern world.
In Barcelona, Sagrada Familia’s central tower completed after 144 years
In Barcelona, a glass cross was installed on the Sagrada Familia temple, completing the central tower and bringing the building to the height of 172.5 meters.
On Forgiveness Sunday, His Beatitude Onuphry celebrates Liturgy at Lavra
During Cheesefare Week, His Beatitude Metropolitan Onuphry celebrated the Liturgy at the Kiev-Pechersk Lavra, addressed the flock with a sermon, and offered prayers for peace and the preservation of Ukraine's people.
In Hnidyn, St. Nicholas Church of UOC damaged by shelling
As a result of shelling, the St. Nicholas Church of the UOC in the village of Hnidyn of the Boryspil Eparchy was damaged.