Court to consider legality of Zelensky's decree on eviction of UOC from territory of 'Upper Lavra'

The Supreme Court of Ukraine will consider the legality of Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s decree, which restricted the Ukrainian Orthodox Church’s access to the buildings of the “Upper” Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra. In addition, until this issue is resolved in court, the government’s lawsuit to evict UOC monks from the territory of the Lower Lavra will be suspended. This was reported by the lawyer of the Lavra, Archpriest Nikita Chekman.

“We thank God! We thank the court for making a well-reasoned decision, establishing that these cases are indeed related. Indeed, this whole “inspection” and termination of the contract actually took place after Zelensky’s decree. Therefore, we will fight in the Supreme Court and defend the Truth. God is with us!”, – the priest wrote on his Telegram channel.

As reported, on April 10, 2025, the Northern Economic Court of Appeal of Kyiv issued a decision allowing the Kyiv Metropolis of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church to participate in the case of unilateral termination of the agreement between the Kyiv Cave Monastery National Reserve and the Holy Dormition Kyiv Cave Monastery of the UOC.