The State Service of Ukraine for Ethnopolitics (DESS) stated that the Pochaiv Lavra has 30 days to sever ties with a foreign religious organization, the activities of which are prohibited in Ukraine – the Russian Orthodox Church (ROC).
According to the DESS press service, Pochaiv Lavra must rectify identified violations within 30 days from the day of receiving the order. Specifically, the superior must provide a decision on withdrawing from the structure of the Kyiv Metropolia of the UOC, declare verbally or in writing their disagreement with appointments to the statutory governing bodies of the ROC, and prepare a corresponding statement regarding the termination of powers and severance of ties with the ROC.
On July 22, the State Service of Ukraine for Ethnopolitics and Freedom of Conscience announced signs of affiliation of the Pochaiv Holy Assumption Lavra with the ROC.
It was established that the Pochaiv Holy Assumption Lavra is a structural unit of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church and is part of the Kyiv Metropolia of the UOC, which according to Ukrainian law is recognized as affiliated with a foreign religious organization whose activities are banned in Ukraine.
The state service also established that the Statute of the Russian Orthodox Church entails the inclusion of the head of the Pochaiv Holy Assumption Lavra in the statutory governing bodies of the ROC.
The Pochaiv Holy Assumption Lavra has not publicly responded to these statements by DESS.
The Pochaiv Lavra is an Orthodox male monastery in Pochaiv with the status of a lavra. It is the largest Orthodox shrine in western Ukraine, second in importance after the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra.
In August last year, the State Service of Ukraine for Ethnopolitics and Freedom of Conscience (DESS) decided to recognize the Kyiv Metropolia of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (Moscow Patriarchate) as affiliated with the banned foreign religious organization. The UOC (MP) contested this decision.
In April, a court revoked the DESS order approving the conclusion of a religious study examination of the UOC Statute regarding the presence of church-canonical ties with the Moscow Patriarchate.
