Pochaev, Ternopil Province, Ukraine, April 28, 2023
vidviday.ua
According to the authorities of the Ternopil Provincial Council, supposed “violations” have been found at the Holy Dormition-Pochaev Lavra.
Like the Lavra in Kiev, the Lavra in Pochaev has also been state-owned since Soviet times, and is administered by the Pochaev-Kremenets Reserve.
The Ukrainian state claims it has found “violations” of the usage agreement at the Kiev Caves Lavra, though it has thus far refused to produce the report detailing any such violations. Just yesterday, a Kiev court ruled that the state must provide the report to the Church.
And according to Ternopil Council Chairman Mikhail Golovko, there are also “violations” in Pochaev, such as building new churches.
At the same time, the Council has openly stated in the past that its purpose isn’t to conduct a fair inspection of the Lavra, but to find a reason to expel the Ukrainian Orthodox Church.
According to Golovko, the “violations” found are sufficient to terminate the lease agreement with the UOC, which should remain in force until January 1, 1952.
The Council Chairman also said they have appealed to the Ministry of Culture to take the monastery away from the Church. In fact, earlier this week, Minister of Culture Alexander Tkachenko announced that his department would be sending a commission to inspect the Pochaev Lavra, just as they are doing in Kiev.
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