Minister of Culture: In the Lavra, people feel part of the state tradition

Berezhna's speech at the Lavra. Photo: "Ukrinform"

Minister of Culture Tetiana Berezhna, during the "opening" of the Far Caves of the Kyiv Pechersk Lavra three years after they were closed by the authorities, delivered a speech in the Church of the Nativity of the Theotokos.

Speaking before the iconostasis, Berezhna stated that the opening of the Far Caves, several months after the opening of the Near Caves, demonstrates that the work of the Ministry of Culture "is of a systemic nature."

According to the minister, "it is very important that the Kyiv Pechersk Lavra be a place that is open to Ukrainian believers, to Ukrainian pilgrims, where people feel part of the Ukrainian cultural, religious, and state tradition."

Berezhna did not clarify what the Ukrainian state tradition in the Lavra actually entails.

As a reminder, the authorities closed access for believers to the Lower Lavra on August 10, 2023, without explanation. In February 2026, the reserve "opened" the Near Caves, and now — the Far Caves. Entry is only possible by prior registration on certain days of the week between 9:00 and 11:00, accompanied by OCU staff. The time limit is 30 minutes, which includes the walk from the entrance to the Upper Lavra to the caves and back. The entrance to the territory of the Lower Lavra remains closed.

The UOJ previously reported that the Ministry of Culture "opened" the Far Caves of the Lavra for the OCU.

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