Civic movement calls on SBU to tighten oversight of Pochaiv Lavra

Holy Dormition Pochaiv Lavra. Photo: Pochaiv Lavra Facebook page

Ukraine’s civic-military movement has appealed to law enforcement agencies to tighten preventive oversight of the Pochaiv Lavra. The activists called on the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) and the National Police to step up monitoring of the monastery’s property during the period granted by DESS for it to sever ties with the Kyiv Metropolia.

“We demand that the Security Service of Ukraine and the National Police strengthen preventive oversight to ensure the preservation of the Pochaiv Lavra’s movable and immovable property,” the organization said. “Any attempts to illegally remove icons, liturgical items, museum valuables, or carry out unauthorized construction work during the transition period must be prevented.”

Representatives of the movement stressed the need for uncompromising compliance with DESS requirements. The activists called on the State Service for Ethnopolitics and Freedom of Conscience and the Ministry of Culture to prepare the necessary evidence and legal case “so that, if the order is not complied with, court proceedings to terminate the right to use the property can be launched immediately and completed within the shortest possible procedural timeframe.”

The civic movement urged the monks to “recognize their historic responsibility to Ukrainian society.” In their view, the monastery should serve Ukraine and the Ukrainian people. Representatives of the movement also said they reserve the right to exercise public oversight over compliance with the deadlines and procedures established for the Pochaiv Lavra.

Earlier, the UOJ reported that DESS had given the Pochaiv Lavra another 60 days to sever ties with the Kyiv Metropolis of the UOC.

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