The Pochaiv Lavra issued an official denial of media reports

The Holy Dormition Pochaiv Lavra has issued an official rebuttal of reports published in a number of media outlets, including the zaxid.net website. Representatives of the monastery stated that it is unacceptable to equate the opinions of random visitors with the position of the monastery itself, and also emphasized the need for legal precision when discussing issues related to property inventory and the condition of architectural monuments.

In an official statement published on the website by the Information and Education Department of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, the monastery’s administration emphasizes that the statements made by pilgrims and reported in the media represent their personal opinions. In particular, it is noted that some individuals presented in the reports as “monks” or “residents of Pochaiv” are not, in fact, such, but are merely pilgrims from other regions, which misleads the audience.

Separately, the Lavra commented on reports regarding the “disappearance of icons.” The monastery insists that any claims regarding the disappearance of church property must be based on documentary evidence—transfer documents and inventory lists—rather than on conjecture. Representatives of the monastery expressed their willingness to engage in constructive dialogue with government agencies and emphasized that legal disputes surrounding inspection procedures should not be viewed as “resistance to the state.”

The monastery’s leadership also stated that any repair work on the complex’s grounds is carried out with the aim of preserving cultural heritage. The Lavra reaffirmed its openness to lawful inspections and called on the public to avoid hostile rhetoric, basing their views solely on facts and legal norms, while emphasizing that the monastery’s primary mission remains its prayer life and service to the faithful.

As a reminder, earlier, Nestor Pysyk, head of the Ternopil Diocese of the OCU ( ), expressed doubt that his organization would be able to gain access to the Holy Dormition Pochaiv Lavra ( ) in the foreseeable future. In his view, the faithful of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church intend to fight to preserve access to the shrine by all available means.