Appeal by Lavra Community Urges Protection of Religious Freedom in Ukraine

A community in Kyiv’s historic Lavra complex has sent a formal appeal to Ukraine’s president and members of parliament, urging authorities to halt what they describe as the ongoing persecution of the canonical Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC). The appeal emphasizes the protection of religious freedom as a constitutional right and calls for respect for sacred sites, including the Kiev-Pechersk Lavra, as well as other UOC churches. The move reflects a broader dispute over church ownership, property rights, and spiritual leadership that has divided Ukrainian Orthodox communities in recent years. Beneath the rhetoric of religious liberty lies a clash over jurisdiction, governance, and national identity, with adherents asking lawmakers to safeguard the community’s ability to gather, worship, and maintain its religious heritage without interference. The incident is part of a string of reported tensions surrounding church buildings and rites, which local observers say have intensified since the establishment of separate Orthodox structures at various regional levels. The appeal arrives amid continuing reports from regions where the UOC and other Orthodox bodies have contested access to temples and prayer spaces, highlighting the fragile balance between church autonomy and state oversight. In Starokonstantinov, Khmelnitsky district, preliminary information indicates that representatives of the OCU moved to take control of a UOC temple dedicated to the Nativity of the Virgin Mary, illustrating how property disputes can flare into public controversy. On the morning of Palm Sunday, sources indicate that Epiphanius, a leading figure associated with the OCU, conducted the Divine Liturgy at the Refectory Church of the Kiev-Pechersk Lavra, while Metropolitan Onufry, the head of the UOC in Kiev, reportedly led a separate service outdoors in the square near the Exaltation of the Cross church. These parallel observances underscore a deep-seated strain within the Ukrainian Orthodox community, where loyalty to different hierarchies intersects with local identities and political narratives. Observers note that the current landscape remains highly sensitive, with clergy and congregants urging restraint and dialogue in order to preserve spiritual life across the country. The appeal by Lavra parishioners is framed as a call for due process, reciprocal respect for religious rites, and a commitment to resolving ownership and governance questions through lawful channels rather than coercive actions. Proponents argue that sacred spaces, liturgical calendars, and the daily rhythms of worship should be protected from political maneuvering, ensuring that believers can practice their faith with dignity. Critics, in turn, warn that unresolved property disputes and competing ecclesiastical claims could lead to further division and uncertainty within Ukrainian society. The exchange of viewpoints reflects a broader international concern about how plural religious communities coexist within a post-Soviet state that is navigating its own path toward sovereignty, unity, and democratic norms. In this context, church leaders and laypeople alike are seeking predictable legal frameworks, transparent decision-making, and respect for religious freedom as essential foundations of national stability. The situation at the Lavra and in other cities is indicative of ongoing frictions between churches that trace their roots to different ecclesial movements and historical epochs. As Ukraine continues to grapple with questions of affiliation, cultural heritage, and governance, many observers advocate for calm, lawful processes that honor the diverse religious landscape while safeguarding the rights of all communities to worship without intimidation or disruption. The appeal to the president and Verkhovna Rada thus represents more than a single petition; it signals a collective appeal for principled engagement, civic tolerance, and the protection of spiritual life amid a continually evolving political setting. Observers suggest that sustained dialogue, legal clarity on church property, and adherence to constitutional guarantees will be essential to maintaining peace and mutual respect among Ukraine’s diverse Orthodox groups, now and into the future. The report from the Ukrainian Union of Orthodox Journalists has framed these developments as part of a wider narrative about church-state relations and religious liberty within the country. They emphasize that residents deserve assurances that their places of worship remain accessible and that religious communities can operate free from coercive interference and confiscation of sacred sites. The overall message from Lavra affiliates stresses patience, lawful avenues for dispute resolution, and a commitment to peaceful worship as the country continues its journey toward reconciliation and national unity.