Head of OCU monastery thanks Interior Minister for "ensuring security" in Kyiv Cave Monastery

Avrahamiy Lotysh, an employee of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra National Reserve and, concurrently, the abbot of the Kyiv-Pechersk Monastery of the OCU, met with the Minister of Internal Affairs of Ukraine, Igor Klymenko, during which he expressed his gratitude for the work of law enforcement agencies on the territory of the monastery. The parties discussed issues of law enforcement and further cooperation between the monastery and law enforcement agencies.

According to the official Facebook page of the institution, the meeting took place on May 31, 2026. Abraham Lotish thanked Igor Klymenko for “high efficiency, professionalism and ensuring proper law and order” in the Lavra. According to the vicar, thanks to the actions of the police, the clergy and pilgrims can feel safe during worship.

During the dialog, the Interior Minister was briefed on the current state of affairs at the monastery. The main vector of the discussion was the deepening of cooperation between the monastery and the units of the National Police of Ukraine. Particular attention was paid to measures to preserve cultural heritage and protect believers on the territory of the religious complex.

It should be reminded that the participation of law enforcement agencies in the life of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra has previously been resonant. In 2023, the police ensured the process of returning the buildings and churches of the Lower Lavra to the state, which was accompanied by restrictions on pilgrims’ access to certain facilities of the monastery. The media also reported on the organization of a massive arrival of OCU believers to the Lavra during the festive events.

Earlier, it was reported that the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra National Reserve signed a contract for the protection of the territory and premises until the end of 2026. The total value of the contract amounted to more than UAH 27.5 million.