Russian-linked church explains how it might be able to remain in Kyiv Monastery of the Caves despite eviction order
Metropolitan Pavlo, the abbot of the Kyiv Pechersk Lavra (Monastery of the Caves), said that he and the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate (UOC-MP) clergy have the right to remain in the Lavra despite the eviction notice, and do not intend to move out until the end of the UOC-MP's court case against the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra National Reserve, where the monastery is located. Source: Metropolitan Pavlo; Unified State Register of Court Decisions Quote: "On Tuesday we received a letter saying that the process of Lavra's transfer to the state will begin on 30 [March], starting with the Church of St Agapit.
The law is on our side. We will remain in the Lavra until the court case has been ruled on. We have a long-term agreement which cannot be terminated under martial law.
We have been offered a 'compromise' - that is, for His Beatitude Onufriy, the seminary, and me to move out from the Lavra.
I said that one cannot abandon their cross, but has to be taken down from it. We do not need 'compromises' like that. They want to take our Lavra, the Pochaiv Lavra [Holy Dormition Pochaiv Lavra, or the Pochaiv Monastery, in Ternopil Oblast - ed.], and then move on to women's monasteries."
Details: Metropolitan Pavlo said that all of Ukraine's presidents have been elected presidents thanks to the prayers of the UOC-MP clergy and parishioners.
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On 29 March, the Kyiv City Commercial Court received a claim from the Holy Dormition Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra/Men's Monastery/Ukrainian Orthodox Church. The UOC-MP has appealed to invalidate the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra National Reserve's unilateral withdrawal from the contract with the UOC-MP.
Previously: The UOC-MP clergy were asked to vacate the premises of the Kyiv Pechersk Lavra by 29 March. Hundreds of believers gathered in the Lavra this morning. The UOC-MP clergy are refusing to vacate the premises.
Background:
- Metropolitan Epiphany of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine said that the monastery on the territory of the Kyiv Pechersk Lavra (Kyiv Monastery of the Caves) will not be closed, and the language of services will be Old Slavic, along with modern Ukrainian.
- The Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra National Reserve terminated its agreement with the UOC-MP, which allowed the church to use the premises of the Kyiv Pechersk Lavra free of charge, in March 2023. The UOC-MP clergy were ordered to vacate all premises of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra by the end of March.
- Nearly 200 UOC-MP clergymen have been banned from entering Ukraine. The National Security and Defence Council of Ukraine imposed sanctions against UOC-MP and Russian Orthodox Church officials.
- As of 23 February 2023, the SSU has investigated nearly 60 criminal cases brought against pro-Russian UOC-MP clergy; over 350 church buildings and 850 persons linked to the church have been subject to thorough checks and inspections.
Ukrainian courts have handed down seven guilty verdicts.
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