Reserve intends to block monks' access to Lavra, says lawyer
The Lower Lavra. Photo: TG channel "Lavra Now"
The lawyer of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra, Archpriest Nikita Chekman, reported on the plans of the new management of the National Reserve "Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra" to restrict the brethren's access to the premises of the Lower Lavra.
According to him, alarming information is coming in that starting tomorrow (May 29, 2025), the new management of the Reserve plans to resort to illegal actions aimed at restricting the monks' access to the monastery's territory.
The lawyer emphasizes that as of today, there is no court decision that has come into legal force and would allow such actions. Legal proceedings on this issue are still ongoing.
"Every unlawful interference in the life of the monastery by officials of the Reserve or the Ministry of Culture will receive a proper legal assessment, and it will not be possible to avoid responsibility," stated Archpriest Nikita Chekman.
He called on all believers for intensified prayer and requests prayerful appeals to the Lord, the Most Holy Theotokos, and all the saints of Kyiv-Pechersk for the protection of the holy monastery.
As reported, on the eve of May 27, Dumenko discussed "cleansing" the monastery from the UOC with the new head of the Lavra Reserve, Svitlana Kotliarevska. Dumenko demanded that she open the Lavra Caves for the OCU and also "stop the groundless presence of representatives of the Moscow Patriarchate's jurisdiction in the Reserve's buildings".
Earlier, the UOJ wrote that the Ministry of Culture dismissed the Reserve's director Maksym Ostapenko, accusing him of insufficient struggle with the UOC monks 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.