Kiev, January 29, 2025
Photo: rtvi.com
The canonical Ukrainian Orthodox Church won two small court victories regarding the usage of the Holy Dormition-Kiev Caves Lavra on Monday, January 27.
The ancient monastery, divided into the Upper and Lower Lavra, has been state owned since Soviet times and is run by the Kiev Caves Lavra National Preserve. The Church has already been 
“Christ is Risen!” Ukrainian faithful sing out in face of persecution (+VIDEOS)On New Years’ Eve, the faithful filled the trapeza church to overflowing, to worship in their beloved church for the last time for the time being.
“>evicted from the Upper Lavra and blocked from using its cathedrals, which have since been used by the schismatics for their “services” and the state for various 
Song about murdering Russians sung in Kiev Caves Lavra concertMeanwhile, the Uniate church of the Holy Protection in Truskavets, Lviv Province, hosted a laser show with people dressed as demons, death, and President Putin in the church.”>inappropriate events. The Church’s contract for usage of the Lower Lavra, where the monks reside, 
Ukrainian Orthodox Church fully expelled from Kiev Caves Lavra by end of MarchThe Church has been informed that it has until March 29 to leave the Lavra altogether. The Lower Lavra, which the UOC still had access to, is home to the actual caves, the monks’ cells, and the Kiev Theological Seminary and Academy.”>has also been terminated, though the state has yet to physically evict the brotherhood.
On Monday, in one session, the Northern Commercial Court of Appeals in Kiev resolved to suspend the Preserve’s lawsuit to evict the Church from the Lower Lavra until the unilateral termination of the usage contract is examined, reports Voice of Orthodox Ukraine.
In its case, the Preserve argues that the Church must leave the Lower Lavra since its contract has been terminated, but in its case, the Church argues that the termination itself was illegal.
In another session, regarding the UOC’s right to use the churches of the Upper Lavra, the same court granted the motion to include the Kiev Metropolia as a third party in the case.
The Lavra’s lawyer, Archpriest Nikita Chekman, spoke about the significance of the decision regarding the Lower Lavra:
Why is it important? Because the essence of the dispute is that the Preserve believes the contract is terminated and in this regard asks to forcibly evict the monastery and monks from the territory of the Lower Lavra.
The monastery side believes the termination is illegal.
…The termination of the contract took place illegally. And in general, there are many questions as to the “violations” identified by the Preserve.
He continued about the return of Church property from state ownership:
And in addition, the monastery believes that the entire Lavra should belong to the monastery and monks. Because if we take into account the commitments that Ukraine made to the Council of Europe and other practices of the European Court of Human Rights, there are very important precedents when Church property that was illegally alienated by the Soviet authorities is returned to the ownership of the religious organizations from which it was alienated.
The next hearing regarding the termination of the contract will be held on February 3. “The further fate of the Kiev Caves Lavra monks will depend on it,” the priest-lawyer said.
And regarding the Upper Lavra, Fr. Nikita explained:
We see what’s happening in the Refectory Church. Concerts and other incomprehensible events are being held there. This is a place for God’s service and people’s confession. But now, there are concerts and incomprehensible shows.
Therefore, the monastery side asked to involve the UOC Kiev Metropolis as a third party in the case. Everyone knows that His Beatitude Metropolitan Onuphry of Kiev and All Ukraine completed his service in the Upper Lavra. And all the premises were transferred in the late 80s, early 90s, precisely to the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, to the Kiev Metropolis. There such archival documents about this.
And since the Holy Dormition-Kiev Caves Lavra is a stavropegial monastery subordinated to His Beatitude the Metropolitan, and I want to say, the court agreed with this! Indeed, the court’s decision affects the UOC Metropolis’ rights and obligations.
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