The Lavra: Who is the master of the house?

A fashion show in the Refectory Church of the Lavra. Photo: KOVA

Another government event, “Dialogue on Resilience,” was held at the Refectory Church of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra. Once again, a huge stage with screens was installed inside the church, covering the frescoes of the saints. Some women delivered grandiose speeches about “mental health” and the “philosophy of life.” The audience watched conceptual videos, while models paraded through the church showcasing new outfits.

All this was held under the patronage of Olena Zelenska, as part of her Summit of First Ladies and Gentlemen.

It should be recalled that the Refectory Church has previously hosted performances by song-and-dance ensembles, rock concerts, culinary show recordings, and other events.

In effect, after the expulsion of the UOC, the Lavra has become yet another venue for government and business events. Is there really any need for this? Perhaps Kyiv simply has no other locations where such events could be held?

Absolutely not. For instance, at the Mystetskyi Arsenal, located opposite the Lavra, dozens of similar events could be held simultaneously – it has an area of 50,000 square meters. And there is also the enormous Ukrainian House on Khreshchatyk, the National Palace of Arts “Ukraine,” the National Expocenter of Ukraine (VDNH), and dozens of other venues.

The authorities specifically need to hold events inside an Orthodox shrine. But why? What is the logic of our rulers? Probably the same as that of the OCU, which is taking churches away from the UOC at a time when its own churches are empty or half-empty.

And therein lies the entire essence of what is happening. This is not about a shortage of venues, nor about the "resilience" of Ukrainians, for the sake of which such forums are supposedly organized. This is about symbols. Neither the authorities nor the OCU actually need Orthodox churches. They need to show who is the master of the house.

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