Court suspends proceedings in Lower Lavra case

Archpriest Nikita Chekman. Photo: the priest’s Telegram channel

The Northern Appellate Commercial Court of Ukraine has suspended proceedings in the case concerning the use of the Kyiv Pechersk Lavra (the Lower Lavra), having granted the monastery's motion on June 25, 2026. This was reported by the monastery's attorney, Archpriest Nikita Chekman, on his Telegram channel.

The court hearing began at 14:30 and concluded with the granting of the monastery's motion. By the court's ruling, the proceedings in the case have been suspended pending a decision in a related case before a court of first instance. Archpriest Chekman expressed gratitude to the court for the decision reached.

According to the attorney, the monastic brotherhood continues to reside in the monastery and fulfill their monastic obediences as before. Archpriest Chekman also thanked all the faithful who have been supporting the monastery with their prayers.

Earlier, the UOJ reported that on June 11, the Lavra Reserve staff seized the Church of the Nativity of the Theotokos. Archpriest Nikita Chekman stressed that these actions are self-willed and constitute a gross violation of the law, since disputes over the right to use the Lavra buildings are still being considered by the courts. According to him, the management of the Reserve is committing another offense against the monastic community by not waiting for final legal decisions.

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