The Commission for accepting and transferring the Dormition Cathedral and the Tabernacle Church from the Ukrainian Orthodox Church to the state completed its work. The lease agreement has expired for two religious buildings located on the territory of the "Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra" or Kyivo-Pechers'ka Lavra reserve.
The commission started its work on January 2 of this year and was engaged in the inventory of the property, as well as drawing up the act of technical inspection of two buildings. In addition, the work of the Commission provided a comprehensive description of the property of the Dormition Cathedral and the Tabernacle Church, the state of iconostases and icons, other property that cannot be separated from religious buildings (for example, the Royal Gate, chandeliers) to return it to the balance holder.
The commission included representatives of the Ministry of Culture and Information Policy of Ukraine, the National Reserve, the Holy Dormition Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra/Men's Monastery/Ukrainian Orthodox Church, and the Miller law firm.
"Since 1990, the Holy Dormition Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra has been included in the list of UNESCO world heritage sites. The Tabernacle Church is an architectural monument of national importance, so it is very important to follow the procedure for protecting and preserving cultural heritage monuments. The Ukrainian shrine should serve the entire Ukrainian people, and we will adhere to this principle in the future. I thank the commission members for their quick and efficient work in the state's interests," said Oleksandr Tkachenko, Minister of Culture and Information Policy.
It should be noted that at the commission's last meeting on January 5, Metropolitan Pavlo, who was supposed to sign the Act of return of the buildings from the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, did not appear. However, refusal of such a signature is not an obstacle to the return of state property. The members of the Commission recorded the absence of Metropolitan Pavel, and the Act itself, signed by the Reserve, was sent to the other party for perusal.
On January 7, 2023, the Primate of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine and the Holy Archimandrite of the Holy Dormition Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra Metropolitan Epiphany of Kyiv and All Ukraine will perform the festive divine liturgy on the occasion of Christmas in the Assumption Cathedral of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra. The service begins at 9 o'clock in the morning.
