Archpriest Igor Yakimchuk, deputy chairman of the Moscow Patriarchate’s Department for External Church Relations, told RIA Novosti that the Ukrainian authorities are negotiating with the Patriarchate of Constantinople on the transfer of the Kiev-Pechersk Lavra to it.

“As for the scenario of transferring the Kiev-Pechersk Lavra to the Patriarchate of Constantinople, such a scenario is being considered by the Ukrainian authorities, precisely because they understand that the monks will not go to a schismatic organization. <…> And so the idea arose to transfer them to the jurisdiction of the Patriarchate of Constantinople. <…> There is information that negotiations on this matter are underway, it is expected to send some emissaries from Constantinople”, – said Yakimchuk.

He also believes that the Patriarchate of Constantinople is in a “delicate position: if it accepts such a proposal, it means an open recognition of the persecution of the UOC, which will certainly worsen its reputation.”