Reserve entices Kyiv residents to Lavra with photo session

The Upper Lavra grounds. Photo: Yuriy Yurchenko

From January 31, 2026, after a week-long break, the Reserve partially resumed access to the territory of the Upper Lavra. On its Facebook page, the agency published an appeal to visitors to come to the Orthodox shrine for a winter photo session.

It is reported that only the territory of the Upper Lavra will be accessible for visits, while the exhibition halls and bell tower remain closed.

"Plan your visits to capture the winter atmosphere and take commemorative photos!" the message reads.

This post caused bewilderment among Kyiv residents. Inna Nanieva wrote in the comments: "And I thought that in the Holy Lavra one should fall to their knees and pray sincerely, but here they write that one should take selfies?"

As the UOJ reported, on January 31, 2026, during a prayer vigil at the walls of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra, a priest of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church addressed the gathered faithful with a sermon. He emphasized that believers come together for joint prayer not for material benefits, but to preserve their faith and the right to pray in their native shrines.

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