The rector of the Theological Academy of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church spoke out against the creation of a Ukrainian National Pantheon at the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra

The creation of the Ukrainian National Pantheon has become the subject of lively public debate. After the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine adopted a resolution on July 1, 2026, to locate the pantheon on the grounds of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra National Reserve, the initiative drew criticism from the expert community, historians, and religious leaders.

According to Archbishop Silvestr Stoychev, rector of the Kyiv Theological Seminary and Academy of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, despite the obvious significance of the idea of creating a place of national remembrance, the choice of location is controversial. In his statement, he emphasizes that the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra possesses a unique, centuries-old “field of meanings” that could be disrupted by the introduction of a new concept inconsistent with the sacred nature of the shrine.

The hierarch points to several key issues related to this decision:

• Protected Area Status: The Lavra is a state-protected site, and any intervention in its infrastructure must be aimed at preservation, not transformation of the space.
• Logistical risks: A significant increase in visitor traffic and the need for protocol visits by foreign delegations may restrict citizens’ free access to the shrine.
• Worldview aspect: Archbishop Sylvester notes that the pantheon must be located in a “neutral space,” since it will include people of different beliefs and faiths, which makes the grounds of an active Orthodox monastery not the most suitable location and could provoke interfaith conflicts.

Given the public outcry, Archbishop Sylvester calls on the authorities to engage in an open and professional dialogue. According to the Cabinet of Ministers’ resolution, the matter requires mandatory public discussions, during which scholars and the public must reach a balanced decision that will honor the memory of heroes without creating potential conflicts.

As a reminder, the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine 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.