Pochaev, Ternopil Province, Ukraine, October 25, 2022
Photo: peopletravel.by
The Holy Dormition-Pochaev Lavra in western Ukraine was recently the site of a search by state law enforcement authorities who are on the hunt for collaborators and saboteurs.
The National Police and Security Service of Ukraine conducted “training in separate localities” throughout the Ternopil Province last week, including at the Pochaev Lavra, according to the head of the National Police in the province Alexander Bogomol, reports kremenets.city.
Training is carried out to ensure public order and identify collaborators.
Bogomol explains: “We and the SBU are conducting training in certain territories. Yesterday, the Pochaev Lavra, public organizations, and entrepreneurs were checked… This work is being carried out weekly, and it will continue to be carried out in some territories. Our task it so ensure public order and identify people who could harm the state.”
The Pochaev Lavra has been a target for nationalists for years. Legally, the monastery is a national park belonging to the government, and local authorities have long been trying to deprive the monks of their historical home. Most recently, in August, local authorities appealed to the Ukrainian Parliament to break the agreement that allows the Ukrainian Orthodox Church to occupy and use the monastery.
The call came just a few days after the annual procession to the Pochaev Lavra was picketed and forced to reroute along a longer route.
Follow OrthoChristian on Twitter, Vkontakte, Telegram, WhatsApp, MeWe, and Gab!
