The revered mediaeval Orthodox monastery’s main cathedral was once owned by a church connected to the Moscow patriarchate, but the Ukrainian government has now acquired it from that organization and given it to a Ukrainian rival to be used for Orthodox Christmas ceremonies.
Ukraine’s KYIV — For Orthodox Christmas services, the Ukrainian government has given its rival church permission to use the main cathedral of the revered mediaeval monastery that was once associated with the Moscow patriarchate.
As a result of Russia’s involvement in the conflict in Ukraine, the long-standing tensions between the two churches have grown worse.
Oleksandr Tkachenko, the minister of culture for Ukraine, announced on Thursday that the state had taken over the Dormition Cathedral and the Refectory Church of the nearly 1,000-year-old Pechersk Lavra, also known as the Monastery of the Caves, in the country’s capital after the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOClease )’s on them expired on December 31.
The Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople recognised the Orthodox Church of Ukraine in 2019. The patriarch of Moscow and the majority of other Orthodox patriarchs refused to accept the designation because it constituted a formal break with the Russian church. Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, which had remained obedient to the Moscow patriarch since the 17th century, proclaimed its independence from that patriarchate. By ceasing to honour Moscow Patriarch Kirill as its head during public worship and choosing to bless its own sacramental oil rather than relying on Moscow’s supply, the UOC gave Moscow the liturgical cold shoulder.
However, according to Ukrainian security services, Moscow has been in regular contact with the country. In addition to displaying pictures of rubles, Russian passports, and booklets with words from the Moscow patriarch, they have carried out several raids on the church’s holy locations.
Prominent officials of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church have denied any connections to Moscow, stating that they have steadfastly stood behind Ukraine since the beginning of the conflict and that any government crackdown will simply give Russia an advantage in propaganda.