Illegal Construction of UOC-Moscow Patriarchate Church Near Foundation of Tithe Church Continues

Oleksandr Bryhynets was informed about the construction, which is now in full swing near the foundations of the Tithe Church, by the public, reported news.zn.ua.

The deputy suspects that the sawing down by Femen of the memorial cross over Independence Square was simply a cover for the beginning of construction work on Starokyivska Hill.

“It is clear that at the time when the destruction of the cross provoked indignation of wide circles of the public, it is difficult to pass judicial or other decisions to dismantle the so-called Tithe Monastery,” said the official.

He added that the development near the foundation of the Tithe Church is illegal. “I am against destruction of the church, but I support its moving to another place,” stated Bryhynets.

The territory of Starokyivska Hill is a reserved area where construction is forbidden. In view of the impossibility to obtain a permission for the construction, the ministers seized the hill and erected there a small portable chapel. During the time of inactivity of the leadership of the UOC, police, and Kyiv authorities, that small installation has grown into a large church.

“It is obvious from the responses of the authorities to my inquiries that there are no documents or right for this structure to be built in this place. But the Kyiv officials do not dare to give the instruction to move the church and the ministers are taking advantage of that,” said Bryhynets.

The developers began to build an addition to the illegally installed facility which is called the Tithe Monastery by mass media. The size of the church has been enlarged considerably: additional facilities have been added to it (in front of it and behind it). A new metallic structure has been put on top of the central part which is to enlarge the size of the cupolas. According to Bryhynets’ calculations, the building will become twice as large as the result of the reconstruction.