Kyiv Pechersk Lavra’s Dormition Cathedral, Refectory Church back in state ownership

The Dormition Cathedral and the Trapezna (Refectory) Church of the Kyiv Pechersk Lavra monastery have been returned to state ownership, the Ministry of Culture and Information Policy reported on Jan. 5.

The decision was made by the commission, which was engaged in inventorying the property and inspecting the buildings.

Ukrainian Minister of Culture Oleksandr Tkachenko said that Metropolitan Pavlo (Lebed) of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate (UOC-MP) had skipped the signing of the relevant act, but this would not prevent the properties' return to state ownership.

The commission that made the decision included representatives of the national historic and cultural preserve, the Miller Law Firm, the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, and the Ministry of Culture and Information Policy.

The commission began its work on Jan. 2, 2023, and was engaged in inventorying the property, as well as drawing up a report on a technical inspection of two buildings.

The minister added that the commission's work had provided a comprehensive description of the two buildings, the condition of iconostases and icons, and other property to return it to the balance keeper.

The UOC signed the relevant act based on the results of the commission's work.

The Kyiv Pechersk Lavra monastery has been included on the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites since 1990. At the same time, the Trapezna Church is a national architectural monument.

Before the New Year, the Kyiv Pechersk Lavra national historic and cultural preserve informed the UOC-MP that it would not renew the contract for its use of the Dormition Cathedral from Jan. 1.