By KYIV. Jan 5 (Interfax-Ukraine) – The Commission for the transfer and acceptance of the Assumption Cathedral and the Refectory Church of Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra from the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (Moscow Patriarchate) to the government has completed its work, Minister of Culture and Information Policy Oleksandr Tkachenko has said.
"The Commission for the acceptance and transfer of the Assumption Cathedral and the Refectory Church from the Ukrainian Orthodox Church to the state has just completed its work. These two places of worship, located on the territory of the Reserve, were transferred for temporary free use of the UOC from 2016 according to an agreement that expired on December 31, 2022," Tkachenko said on Facebook.
According to him, the Commission included representatives of the National Reserve, the Miller law firm, the Holy Dormition Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra, and the Culture Ministry.
"The commission started its work on January 2 of this year and was engaged in an inventory of property, as well as drawing up an act of technical inspection of two buildings. The work of the commission provided a comprehensive description of the property of the Assumption Cathedral and the Refectory Church, the condition of iconostases and icons, and other property that cannot be separated from religious buildings (for example, the Royal Doors, chandeliers) in order to return it to the balance holder," the minister said.
Tkachenko said following the results of the work of the commission, a corresponding act was signed for the return of buildings by the UOC.
"Despite the fact that Metropolitan Pavlo, who was supposed to sign the Act, did not appear at the last meeting of the commission, this is not an obstacle to the return of state property. The absence of the metropolitan was recorded by the members of the Commission, and the Acts themselves, signed by the Reserve, were sent to the other side for familiarization," he said.
The minister said the Ukrainian shrine should serve the entire Ukrainian people, and the authorities will adhere to this principle in the future.
