Searches in Pochaev Lavra: the monastery told about the actions of law enforcers

The Holy Dormition Pochaev Lavra has published an official explanation about the searches conducted by police and SBU officers on the territory of the monastery on October 8, 2025. The statement, made to refute inaccurate information in the media, details the actions of the law enforcers, which included breaking the gate and attempting to search the lawyer’s office without a relevant court order.

According to the Information and Education Department of the UOC, citing the monastery’s website, on the morning of October 8, an investigative team arrived at the Lavra with a search warrant. According to representatives of the monastery, the investigator forbade the inhabitants to conduct video recording and rejected the request to involve more than one representative of the brethren in the protocol. At the same time, the monastery provided unimpeded access to all premises of interest to the law enforcers.

During the investigative actions, special attention was paid to the office of the Lavra’s lawyer. The lawyer provided all the necessary documents for the right to use the premises and declared the illegality of its search without a separate court decision. After that, the investigator announced a break to call additional specialists.

The search was resumed around 16:20 without a representative of the brethren, but with the participation of the director of the Kremenets State Historical and Architectural Reserve, his deputy and a person who introduced himself as an employee of the State Emergency Situations Service without presenting his ID. Having failed to enter the previously inspected building through the closed doors of the Assumption Cathedral, the investigator decided to go to the economy gate. Since they were locked according to the internal order, the order was given to cut down the gate latches. These events unfolded during the beginning of the evening service to the sound of the Lavra bell ringing.

After the gate had been broken down, the investigation team was once again at the lawyer’s office. Despite the documents provided and the absence of a separate court order, and without involving a representative of the Ternopil Regional Bar Council, the investigator announced the beginning of a search of the premises. The lawyer’s call to the investigative team went unanswered. It is also reported that the law enforcers obstructed the passage of believers to the worship service. After a brief discussion, the participants of the investigative team left the territory.

The administration of the monastery noted that this event caused great concern among the faithful, and expressed gratitude to all for prayerful support.

We would like to remind you that on October 8, a serious incident took place in Pochaev Lavra, involving an attempt by officers of the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) to enter the territory of the Dormition Cathedral. This led to a physical confrontation and a fight between the security officers and representatives of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC), including seminarians and parishioners