On April 21, 2023, on the territory of the Kiev-Pechersk Lavra, representatives of law enforcement agencies prevented UOC believers from participating in worship in one of the temples of the monastery, the Information and Education Department of the UOC reports.

On Friday morning, police officers came to the temple in honor of the icon of the Mother of God “Life-Giving Spring”, where the Liturgy took place on the occasion of the patronal feast. According to eyewitnesses, law enforcement officers expressed indignation at the fact that there were a lot of people in the temple.

The police closed the entrance to the church grounds and thus openly prevented believers from participating in worship. Parishioners who did not have time to enter were forced to pray behind the wall. Later, the clergy went out into the street so that everyone could begin the Sacraments. Believers had to confess and receive communion through the bars.

Now law enforcement agencies, for unknown reasons, let people into the territory of the Lavra only after presenting a passport.