Tkachenko: more than 700 museum objects should be checked in the Lavra

This was stated by the Minister of Culture and Information Policy Oleksandr Tkachenko during the national telethon "United News", reports Ukrinform.

"We need to check the 700+ museum items that were in use by this Metropolia and check the condition of the caves. I think that in the near future, we will be able to make this result public," the minister said.

According to him, household items are being taken out of the Lavra. However, Tkachenko noted, they cannot be personal items, since many things are donations and bought with donations from parishioners.

"The fact that they perceive this property as their own also speaks to their attitude to their profession and vocation," the minister said.

He also noted that monks and priests located on the territory of the lower Lavra are citizens of Ukraine and should respect the laws of our state.

"I think that in the future, those who are on the territory of the lower Lavra should act with respect for Ukrainian laws. They are citizens of Ukraine. Disregard for Ukrainian laws, the point of view of society, the point of view of the authorities is unacceptable,” Tkachenko said.

The Minister of Culture noted that there was a need for dialogue between the UOC-MP and the OCU for a long time. And the state tried to help ensure that it took place even during a full-scale invasion. However, according to him, after a meeting of representatives of the two churches in July 2022 in Sofia, the UOC-MP banned such a dialogue.

In addition, as the minister added, law enforcement officers found support for Russia's armed aggression against Ukraine among some clergy of the Moscow Patriarchate. "In fact, they have divided themselves between the Ukrainian people, who defend their state and, in fact, the church to which they belong, and they are in no hurry to give up their roots and ties with it. Yes, there were certain statements, but no one dared to completely cut off communication with the Moscow Patriarchate," Tkachenko said.

He noted that the return to state ownership of the Holy Assumption Cathedral and the Refectory Church of the Kyiv Pechersk Lavra took place according to the law.

"The agreement on the use of these churches by the UOC-MP has expired, and the state has taken over their management. The same thing should happen on the territory of the lower Lavra. The state is the owner of these items. The state, in accordance with the agreement concluded during the time of Yanukovych, sent a warning that it was terminated. Now the commission is working, including with representatives of law enforcement agencies, on non - compliance or compliance with this agreement," the minister reminded.

As reported, on March 10, the Kyiv Pechersk Lavra National Reserve sent a warning to the Holy Dormition Kyiv Cave Monastery of the UOC-MP to terminate Agreement No. 2 of July 19, 2013, on the free use of religious buildings and other property by a religious organization on the basis of violations of the terms of the agreement identified by the Interdepartmental Working Group. According to it, representatives of the UOC-MP must leave the premises of the Lavra until March 29.