Demand that UOC leaves the Lavra is “illegal and groundless,” says Church’s Legal Department

Kiev, June 7, 2023

Photo: kyivpost.com Photo: kyivpost.com     

The Ministry of Culture’s demand that the Ukrainian Orthodox Church vacate the Kiev Caves Lavra within three days and transfer the property back to the state is “illegal and groundless,” says the Legal Department of the UOC.

The Ministry’s demand constitutes a unilateral termination of the contract of usage of the Lower Lavra concluded between the state and the Church, and therefore “is not subject to execution,” the Information-Education Department of the UOC quotes the Legal Department as saying.

Minister of Culture Alexander Tkachenko published the relevant order yesterday. According to him, if the Church doesn’t leave the territory of its own monastery, the matter will be taken to court.

However, “the case is already being considered in court and any actions to deprive the UOC of the right to use the Lavra are illegal,” the Legal Department responds. The state has brought a case against the monastery, and the monastery a case against the state.

The monastery never received a report on the results from the commission tasked with inspecting the state of the Lavra, nor did it receive any documentation supporting its conclusion. According to the Ministry of Culture, this information is classified, though a court has ordered that it be put at the monastery’s disposal.

“Taking into account the above, the requirement to terminate the use and return of state property is illegal and can’t be fulfilled,” the Legal Department concludes.

Follow OrthoChristian on Twitter, Vkontakte, Telegram, WhatsApp, MeWe, and Gab!

6/7/2023

See also
UOC has three days to leave Kiev Caves Lavra, according to new state order UOC has three days to leave Kiev Caves Lavra, according to new state order UOC has three days to leave Kiev Caves Lavra, according to new state order UOC has three days to leave Kiev Caves Lavra, according to new state order
According to the Minister, if the Church doesn’t leave the territory of its own monastery, “a court case will be held to make an appropriate decision to remove obstacles to the Reserve’s use of the property.” Kiev Caves abbot gets another month of house arrest Kiev Caves abbot gets another month of house arrest Kiev Caves abbot gets another month of house arrest Kiev Caves abbot gets another month of house arrest
His Eminence Metropolitan Pavel of Vyshgorod, who has headed the monastery for 30 years, was initially given two months of house arrest in early April. Schismatics hold satanic “funeral” for UOC outside Kiev Caves Lavra (+VIDEO) Schismatics hold satanic “funeral” for UOC outside Kiev Caves Lavra (+VIDEO) Schismatics hold satanic “funeral” for UOC outside Kiev Caves Lavra (+VIDEO) Schismatics hold satanic “funeral” for UOC outside Kiev Caves Lavra (+VIDEO)
The “magician” wore a pentagram with an image of Baphomet in place of an episcopal Panagia, and a “miter” with an image of satan. Other participants were dressed as bishops and zombies and barked, cackled, and pretended to sob. Lavra will be used for arts and crafts and military rehab center, says Minister of Culture Lavra will be used for arts and crafts and military rehab center, says Minister of Culture Lavra will be used for arts and crafts and military rehab center, says Minister of Culture Lavra will be used for arts and crafts and military rehab center, says Minister of Culture
The Lavra became a state-owned cultural object under the godless authorities of the Soviet Union, and the Ukrainian government has continued this practice. Lavra: Faithful forced to commune through bars of locked gate (+VIDEOS) Lavra: Faithful forced to commune through bars of locked gate (+VIDEOS) Lavra: Faithful forced to commune through bars of locked gate (+VIDEOS) Lavra: Faithful forced to commune through bars of locked gate (+VIDEOS)
The standoff between the Orthodox faithful of Ukraine and the authorities continued at the Kiev Caves Lavra throughout Bright Week. Ukraine cancels 2013 decree on transfer of Lavra to use of Ukrainian Church Ukraine cancels 2013 decree on transfer of Lavra to use of Ukrainian Church Ukraine cancels 2013 decree on transfer of Lavra to use of Ukrainian Church Ukraine cancels 2013 decree on transfer of Lavra to use of Ukrainian Church
“By a number of legal decisions, the management of the Lavra’s property passed to the state, since it is the state that owns these objects,” the Minister wrote, referring to Ukraine’s inheritance from the Soviet Union of ownership over the Lavra.

Subscribe
to our mailing list

* indicates required
×