Authorities oppress OCU in Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra, "abbot" Lotysh says

Abrahamiy Lotysh. Photo: "Priamyi"

"Abbot of the OCU Lavra" Avrahamiy Lotysh complained in an interview with "Priamyi" channel that the Ministry of Culture has not transferred a single church of the monastery to his organization, and before each "service" he has to write a separate petition to officials.

"A certain scheme works: I apply in writing to the National Reserve for permission to conduct services on the territory of the Upper Lavra – we rent by the hour. Similarly, on the territory of the Lower Lavra they give us permission to conduct services. At the moment – free of charge. This is the Exaltation of the Cross Church and the warm Church of All Venerable Fathers of the Caves, which are located at the Near Caves. But all this – separately: we apply with letters, requests," Lotysh said.

According to him, lists are submitted to the Reserve for visiting OCU religious events in the Lower Lavra. If someone tries to enter the territory outside the list, the police do not let them in.

Lotysh also complained about government restrictions when "Ukrainian pilgrims" visit the Near Caves. Despite the fact that sometimes Epifaniy Dumenko himself arrives at the Lavra, people are still allowed into the caves only according to the established schedule – 5 days a week from 9:00 to 11:00.

According to him, the authorities oppress the OCU in the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra: "It seems that still those opportunities for one hundred percent development of the Orthodox monastery of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine in the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra are not given because those restrictions that exist do not allow us to move further, to develop further."

At the same time, Lotysh complains, "if something is wrong, then all claims go not to the Reserve, but in our direction – to the Orthodox Church of Ukraine: 'Here the OCU came, and you see how it is'."

Nevertheless, Lotysh hopes for the best. According to him, the Ministry of Culture is committed to close cooperation with the OCU: “And for that they have great respect, and from our side there is an assurance of the support we can provide.”

Earlier, the UOJ reported that the OCU received control over the Near Caves.

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