Kiev Council plans to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the decree on "transforming" Kiev-Pechersk Lavra into a museum

The Kiev City Council has approved a list of memorable dates and anniversaries that the capital will celebrate in 2026. Among them is the 100th anniversary of the National Historical and Cultural Reserve «Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra». However, this decision raises questions, because, as noted by the Information and Education Department of the UOC, the creation of the reserve in 1926 was directly related to the Bolshevik decree that led to the liquidation of the ancient monastery and repressions.

It is reported that the relevant decision was adopted on February 10, 2026 at an extraordinary plenary meeting of the V session of the Kiev City Council of the IX convocation with the support of 72 deputies. Victoria Mukha, Kyiv City Council deputy and head of the Standing Committee on Culture, Tourism and Public Communications, said that the list covers «key events of Ukrainian history, anniversaries of leading scientific, cultural and educational institutions». At the same time, she emphasized the expectation of celebrating the 100th anniversary of the National Historical and Cultural Reserve «Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra».

Nevertheless, historical data of the Kievo-Pechersk Lavra itself indicates that the period after the October coup was one of the most difficult in its history. According to the Decree of the Soviet government «On the Separation of Church from State and School from Church», all the property of church and religious societies was declared to be the property of the people. on September 29, 1926 the VUCIK and the Council of People’s Commissars of the Ukrainian SSR adopted a decree on «Recognition of the former Kiev-Pechersk Lavra as a historical and cultural state reserve and its transformation into the All-Ukrainian museum town».

This decree actually started the gradual isolation of the church community and its displacement by the newly created museum, which ended by the beginning of 1930 with the complete liquidation of the monastery. Some of the brethren were taken hundreds of kilometers away from Kiev and shot, others were imprisoned or exiled. The Lavra itself was subjected to ruin and destruction.

Thus, the source notes, the Kiev Council intends to mark the anniversary of the Bolshevik decree, which led to tragic consequences for the shrine and its inhabitants. This decision raises questions in the context of actively pursued in Ukraine policy of decommunization, aimed at eradicating Soviet ideology and symbols.

We shall remind you that earlier we reported that the National Reserve «Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra» (subordinate to the Ministry of Culture of Ukraine — ed.) announced the temporary closure of the Holy Assumption Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra for visitors. The reason for this decision was the «difficult energy situation caused by the next enemy shelling», which led to a complete absence of electricity, water and heat supply on the territory of the Lavra.