Lavra brethren file a statement with SBI against Minister of Culture
Mykola Tochitsky. Photo: the Ministry of Culture website
On May 26, 2025, the General Investigation Bureau of Kyiv received a statement from the brethren of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra regarding a criminal offense committed by the Minister of Culture, Mykola Tochitsky, reported the monastery's lawyer, Archpriest Nikita Chekman.
The statement indicates that, according to the claim, Tochitsky committed an offense under Part 2 of Article 161 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine, namely incitement of religious hatred committed by an official. The brethren assert that the minister committed the offense in a comment on his order dismissing Maksym Ostapenko from the position of General Director of the National Reserve "Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra".
As reported, Tochitsky stated that he dismissed Ostapenko due to insufficient efforts in the Lavra against the UOC. In doing so, he used offensive language. In particular, speaking about the monks of the UOC, he wrote that "there should be no Moscow spirit in the Lavra," that "Moscow priests have desecrated the Lavra," and that the country does not have time to wait for the "uncontrolled presence of Moscow monks and further destruction of monuments" to end.
Read also
Persecuted Intercession parish celebrates patronal feast in Hostomel
Archbishop Spyridon of Dobropillia and Bishop Arkadiy of Hostomel celebrated the Liturgy in adapted premises for the feast of the Intercession of the Most Holy Theotokos.
Stefanchuk discusses Pope's visit to Ukraine with Vatican Secretary of State
Ruslan Stefanchuk said the Pope's arrival would be a powerful sign of spiritual support and solidarity for Ukraine.
Khmelnytskyi Eparchy holds motorcade procession on Feast of Protection
During the motorcade procession, Metropolitan Victor blessed the roadside crosses at the entrances to Khmelnytskyi with holy water.
UOC hierarchs lead patronal feast at Intercession Monastery in Molodiia
Metropolitan Meletiy of Chernivtsi and Bukovyna led the festive Liturgy at the Intercession Convent in the village of Molodiia.
DESS declares UOC Zaporizhzhia Eparchy affiliated with ROC
The Zaporizhzhia Eparchy has become the fourth UOC religious organization to be declared affiliated with the Russian Orthodox Church by Ukrainian authorities.
Metropolitan Onuphry leads patronal feast at Kyiv’s Intercession Monastery
The UOC Primate ordained a priest and a deacon at St. Nicholas Cathedral of the Intercession Monastery.