The monastic community of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church may be finally expelled from the Kiev-Pechersk Lavra after the completion of all court proceedings on this issue. This was reported in the Ministry of culture and information policy of Ukraine, reports “Obozrevatel”.

It is reported that 16 objects of the “Lower Lavra” were returned to the ownership of the state. At the same time, part of the objects are actually used by the monastery, in particular for religious needs – we are talking about living cells, refectories and religious buildings.

“The question of the legality of the termination of the agreement on the use of occupied premises by the monastery is being considered in the courts. The decisions of the courts of first instance were rendered in favor of the Reserve. At present, the court proceedings of the monastery’s appeals are ongoing”, – the Ministry of Culture informed.

It is worth noting that despite the statements of the Ministry of Culture of Ukraine about solving the issue with the Kiev-Pechersk Lavra in court, as of today the believers of the UOC access to the monastery is completely restricted. In addition, in parallel with the expulsion of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church from the Lavra, the state is engaged in expropriation of church property. Recently, we reported that the press service of the National Reserve “Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra” said that the Reserve “is starting the procedure of returning cultural values and relics located in the Near Caves”.