"This Isn't a Pantheon": Ostapenko Criticized the UOC for Building Structures on the Grounds of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra

Maksym Ostapenko, Director General of the “Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra” National Reserve, expressed strong dissatisfaction in a recent interview with the construction activities that took place on the grounds of the Lower Lavra during the time the Ukrainian Orthodox Church was based there. The reserve’s administration classifies 17 permanent structures that were erected as illegal.

During a conversation on the LB live channel, Maksym Ostapenko described the actions of the monastery’s former abbot, Metropolitan Pavlo, as “appalling,” which, in his opinion, caused outrage among the Ukrainian public. According to the official, it was precisely this construction, along with the monks’ “ideological stance,” that became one of the key reasons for the state’s termination of the lease agreement with the monastery.

Despite his harsh criticism of the legal aspects of the matter, the head of the nature reserve made a significant qualification regarding the economic activities of the former tenants. Ostapenko acknowledged that Metropolitan Pavel had proven himself to be an “extremely capable manager.” The director of the reserve noted that all the structures that were built and restored are in good condition, emphasizing that “from a technical standpoint, a tremendous amount of work was done.”

As a reminder, the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine had previously officially approved the procedure for establishing the “Ukrainian National Pantheon,” which will be located on the grounds of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra National Reserve. According to Government Resolution No. 871, the project is intended to immortalize the memory of Ukraine’s outstanding historical figures.