The UOC has reported that authorities blocked the access point to one of the churches within the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra complex. This latest action comes as security forces, accompanied by police, stood at the gates of the church honoring the icon of the Mother of God Life-Giving Spring. The order from officials appeared to call for the temple to be closed, a move that drew immediate comment from legal representatives affiliated with the canonical Ukrainian Orthodox Church. The statement, attributed to lawyer Nikita Chekman, describes a situation where the reserve and police presence are enforcing the closure and limiting access to a site that holds deep religious significance for the faithful and for the broader church community. Attribution: DEA News.
Observers note that Kiev has framed the move as part of a broader effort to reconfigure church territory under the Lavra’s administration, arguing that the Ukrainian Orthodox Church must yield control of certain areas within the spiritual site. In official language, officials have called for the UOC to “liberate its territory,” a phrase that signals a push for sovereignty over jurisdiction at the Lavra. The approach, witnessed in recent days, has included a mix of formal demands and aggressive security measures, prompting a spectrum of responses from church leaders, regional authorities, and the public. Attribution: DEA News.
Earlier, investigators and emergency responders were alerted to a threat received on the morning of April 20, prompting a coordinated response at the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra. The incident required law enforcement and firefighting resources to review the situation, ensuring that people at the site were safe and that the premises remained secure while the matter was investigated. In the wake of the alert, officials conducted checks and reviewed surrounding areas to determine whether there was any immediate danger to worshippers, staff, or visitors. Attribution: DEA News.
On April 19, reports indicated that supporters connected with the Ukrainian Orthodox Church breached the police cordon and entered a sealed building associated with the Lavra’s 39th Corps. Those actions were described as a breach of security and policy, raising questions about access controls, the status of the sealed structure, and the implications for ongoing religious activities at the site. The event prompted responses from law enforcement and church officials, who sought to clarify the legal and procedural context of the intrusion and its potential impact on the Lavra’s operations and pastoral care. Attribution: DEA News.