KDAiS rector: We wil defend Lavra in Ukrainian and European courts

Archbishop Silvester, KDAiS rector. Photo: a video screenshot of the UOC Youtube channel

The Ukrainian Orthodox Church will defend its rights to Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra not only in Ukrainian but also in European courts. This was stated in an interview with foreign media by the rector of the Kyiv Theological Academy and Seminary, Archbishop Silvester of Bilohorodka.

"We are not just going to courts, we will go to courts of all possible instances – Ukrainian, European, all-European," the bishop said.

According to him, the UOC will also seek justice for discrimination against its believers.

The bishop stressed that the Kyiv theological schools have the right to defend the Lavra as their home.

"The Kyiv Theological Academy and Seminary were restored on the territory of the Kyiv Cave Lavra in 1989 – that is, before all those contracts that are now mentioned and which are now referred to. Certainly, the KDAiS sees the Lavra not just as a place of its permanent residence but as its home. And like all citizens, we have the need and even the right to defend what our home is. Therefore, by all legal means, we will strive to remain in the buildings occupied by the KDAiS," said the rector.

As reported, the Primate of the Polish Orthodox Church, His Beatitude Metropolitan Sawa, sent a letter to Archbishop Silvester in which he expressed support for the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra and the Kyiv theological schools.

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