Kievo-Pecherskaya Lavra files lawsuit over Ukrainian authorities' decision to terminate rental agreement

MOSCOW. March 29 (Interfax) - The Ukrainian Orthodox Church is set to defend its right to the Kievo-Pecherskaya Lavra in court, the Ukrainian media reports.

The Ukrainian authorities will unilaterally terminate the Lavra rental agreement with the Ukrainian Orthodox Church on March 29. Numerous appeals from both common people and celebrities to the United Nations and other major organizations have not made Kiev change its mind, as media reported. The authorities warned the Ukrainian Orthodox Church on Tuesday evening they had one day left to move personal belongings out of the monastery.

The Lavra's lawyer, Archpriest Nikita Chekman, filed a lawsuit with the Commercial Court of Kiev regarding the absence of grounds for unilateral termination of the rental agreement. An application for interim relief, which could help avoid the unlawful eviction of monks from the Lavra, was also lodged with the court.

The lawyer said that the monastery and its residents repeatedly contacted the authorities and enquired about the results of the work by an interagency group which had allegedly found the monastery to be in violation of the agreement's terms. In response, they were told that the requested information was for "official use only" and could not be provided.

"Consequently, the reserve accuses the monastery of breaking the terms of the agreement, while depriving it of a chance to offer formal explanations. This injustice has served as the basis for applying for legal protection," Father Nikita said.

The lawsuit states that the illegal unilateral termination of the agreement would deprive the Lavra's monks of residential rights amid martial law. They are officially registered as Lavra residents.

Finally, "the restoration and construction of religious buildings and structures was carried out thanks to donations from believers of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, whose right to worship will be violated in the event of destruction or damage to property, its transfer to third parties, or the provision of permits to other religious organizations to conduct worship," the priest said.