Zelensky, speaking at Lavra, announces law on Ukrainian shrines

Volodymyr Zelensky. Photo: interfax.com

Volodymyr Zelensky stated that the draft law on Ukrainian national shrines will be prepared by Ukraine's Independence Day, reports Interfax-Ukraine.

"Today I've signed a decree on measures to be taken at the state level to protect Ukrainian national shrines. By Ukraine's Independence Day, a law on our Ukrainian national shrines will be prepared," he said at a state-church ceremony marking the 975th anniversary of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra on August 15, 2026, in Kyiv.

The President said he had already discussed the issue with Verkhovna Rada Chairman Ruslan Stefanchuk and asked parliament to support the relevant legislation in order to clearly define what constitutes national shrines and what steps are needed to protect them throughout the country.

According to Zelensky, the status of a national shrine, which is to be established by law, should provide greater opportunities for everyone involved in protecting Ukraine’s heritage. He specified that this would include strengthening working conditions, as well as the financial, political, and legal mechanisms for protecting shrines, museum collections, and the country’s heritage as a whole.

As the UOJ reported, Serbian priest Siniša Buvač stated that the state's decision to seize the churches and property of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra from the UOC is shameful.

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