Ternopil authorities request DESS to check Pochaiv Lavra for ties to Moscow
Pochaiv Lavra. Photo: Lavra website
On July 23, 2025, deputies of the Ternopil Regional Council supported an appeal to the State Service for Ethnic Policy and Freedom of Conscience (DESS) requesting an investigation into potential affiliation of UOC monasteries in Ternopil Region with structures of the Moscow Patriarchate, including the Pochaiv Lavra.
The appeal was supported by 47 deputies.
The document mentions three religious institutions: the Holy Dormition Pochaiv Lavra, the Holy Spirit Monastery of the Ternopil Eparchy of the UOC, and the Theophany Convent of the same eparchy.
Recall that in March 2023, the OCU established an organization under the name “Holy Dormition Pochaiv Lavra of the Ternopil Eparchy of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine,” appointing the same Pysyk as its “archimandrite.” The OCU has not clarified how this entity corresponds with existing legal structures or where it is to be physically located.
As previously reported by the UOJ, the head of the UGCC, Sviatoslav Shevchuk, stated that following the “demoscowization” of Pochaiv Lavra, the authorities should also take his Church into account.
Read also
UOC рierarch challenges legality of Sloviansk cathedral re-registration
Archbishop Paisios stated that the actual community of the Alexander - Nevsky Cathedral remains faithful to the UOC .
Christ statue in Lebanon restored by Italian peacemakers, media
The crucifix donated by Italian peacmakers is more similar to the one that was destroyed by the IDF military in the Christian village of Debell.
Authorities oppress OCU in Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra, "abbot" Lotysh says
Lotysh complained that the Ministry of Culture has not transferred a single church in the Lavra to the OCU.
Court rules reregistration of UOC community in Kremenchuk illegal
The appeal overturned the decision to transfer the Dormition Cathedral of Kremenchuk to the OCU.
Authorities expect up to 2 million Ukrainians to return home after war
The Ukrainian government states that it can create conditions for the return of millions of the country's citizens from abroad.
"Muslims only" rental adverts appear in London
In London, media have uncovered facts of discrimination against non-Muslims in housing rental.