UOC Chancellor: Only court can evict UOC from Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra

The Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra. Photo: infoportal.kiev.ua

Early termination of the lease agreement of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra is possible only by agreement of the parties or by a court decision, said the UOC Chancellor, Metropolitan Anthony of Boryspil and Brovary.

He noted that “the state property has been in use by the monastery for decades, and during all this time the Reserve has had no comments on the Lavra’s fulfilment of contract obligations, which means there is no legal basis for evicting the monks and students from the Lavra”.

The bishop emphasized that the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra is not only the centre of the monastic life of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, but it also houses the administrative centre of the UOC, Synodal departments and Kyiv theological schools.

“In total, about 600 people permanently live in the holy monastery. And they want to drive all these people out into the street, without any legal grounds for this,” Vladyka said.

“Every day, thousands of believers pray at divine services in the holy Lavra. And we will protect our shrine by all legal means. The Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra is the heart of Orthodoxy in Ukraine, and we will do everything possible within the framework of the law so that it will continue to be a source of spirituality and holiness, which it has been since the time of Sts. Anthony and Theodosius of the Caves,” the bishop emphasized.

As reported, the Economic Court of Kyiv opened proceedings on the claim of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra in connection with the decision of the authorities to unilaterally terminate the property contract with the monastery.

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