Yelensky commented on the investigation into the Pochaiv Lavra regarding its ties to the Russian Orthodox Church

The State Service of Ukraine for Ethnopolitics and Freedom of Conscience (DESS) has launched an official investigation into the activities of the Pochaiv Holy Dormition Lavra. The inspection was prompted by a large number of complaints from citizens pointing to the monastery’s possible affiliation with the Russian Orthodox Church (ROC). An expert group began reviewing documents on June 24. Ukrinform reported the official’s remarks.

The head of the agency, Viktor Yelensky, explained that the inspection procedure is aimed at identifying signs of foreign influence in the activities of the religious organization. Experts intend to analyze all available evidence to confirm or refute suspicions of ties to the Moscow Patriarchate. According to regulations, such an investigation takes one to two months.

If violations are found and ties to the Russian Orthodox Church are confirmed, the State Service for Religious Affairs plans to issue an order requiring their elimination. The religious community will be given 30 days to comply with these requirements.

It should be recalled that earlier, the Ternopil Regional Prosecutor’s Office initiated an investigation aimed at expropriating, for the benefit of the state, a 12-hectare plot of land on which the monastic complex of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church is located — the Holy Dormition Pochaiv Lavra. According to the prosecutor’s office, the transfer of the land to the monastery for use was carried out in violation of the law, and the office is therefore preparing a lawsuit.