And about. The head of the Kiev-Pechersk Lavra reserve, Maxim Ostapenko, promised not to touch the monks until the final decision of the court. Pravblog writes about this with reference to TSN.ua.

“There are several buildings in which monks live. These are monastic cells,” Ostapenko said.

He added that, of course, until the final decision of the court, which will come into force, “no one will touch the monks, the monks have full access to cells, churches, caves. They continue their service in the Lower Lavra. The question is now those objects where there are persons who were not provided for by any agreement. The stay of the monks was provided for by the agreement. Accordingly, until the completion of this judicial history, the monks will be there 100%.”

“Further, I think the state should decide on a mechanism for how to continue monastic life in the Kiev-Pechersk Lavra. This will be a new format for an agreement with the community of monks. The procedure for using state facilities is determined by the State Property Fund. The format of interaction with this church community, including including, should be determined by the State Service of Ukraine for Ethnopolitics and Freedom of Conscience,” the acting head noted. director of the reserve.

According to Ostapenko, “the decision of the courts should come into force. This is a month. There is still a deadline for appeal. There will be no action against the monks specified in this agreement. hotels – these objects should be completely under the control of the reserve. ”

When asked about the number of monks in question, Ostapenko replied: “We have a list of 170 people. These are monks and novices.”