People's Deputy Natalia Pipa called for the termination of the agreement with the UOC on Pochaev Lavra

Ukrainian MP Nataliya Pipa has launched an initiative on the need to immediately return the Pochaev Holy Dormition Lavra to full state control, calling the existence of the monastic community of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church in the monastery an «occupation». According to the MP, Ukrainian holy sites cannot be in the use of structures that she characterizes as hostile to national interests.

On her Facebook page, Natalia Pipa called the brethren of the monastery «puppets» and said that she would seek an uncompromising solution to the issue. The MP recalled that back in April 2023, she registered in the Verkhovna Rada a draft resolution to terminate the agreement on the use of the Lavra with the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC). At the same time, it is noted that no concrete evidence of the monks’ direct control over foreign centers of influence was given.

According to the MP, concrete legal steps have already been taken as part of the process of expropriation of the Lavra. The Ternopil Prosecutor’s Office has filed a lawsuit regarding the rights to more than 12 hectares of land on which the Lavra is located. A special role in this process is played by the Ministry of Culture of Ukraine, which created a special commission to check the use of state objects. As a result of the commission’s work, violations were recorded, which became the basis for recommending the termination of the lease agreement.

Concluding her statement, Pipa emphasized that she intends to continue «pressing» the relevant agencies for the final expulsion of the UOC representatives from the territory of the monastery, excluding the possibility of any concessions in this matter.

«No concessions to the enemy! No Moscow puppets on Ukrainian soil! «, — concluded Pipa.

We will remind, earlier Ternopil regional Prosecutor’s office initiated an investigation with the purpose of expropriation in favor of the state of a land plot of 12 hectares, on which is located the monastery complex of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church — Holy Assumption Pochaev Lavra. In the opinion of the prosecutor’s office, the transfer of the land to the monastery was carried out in violation of the law, in connection with which the agency is preparing a lawsuit.