Lavra Reserve staff seize Church of the Nativity of the Theotokos
Representatives of the state institution broke open the doors of the academic church despite ongoing court proceedings concerning the Lavra.
On June 11, 2026, employees of the National Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra Reserve began a forcible seizure of one of the monastery’s churches – the academic Church of the Nativity of the Most Holy Theotokos. According to UOC lawyer Archpriest Nikita Chekman, representatives of the state institution cut off the locks and unlawfully entered the premises.
The lawyer stressed that these actions were arbitrary and grossly violated the law, since disputes over the right to use the Lavra buildings are still being considered by the courts. According to him, the reserve’s management is committing yet another offense against the monastic community without waiting for final legal decisions.
“The National Reserve has repeatedly engaged in such actions and continues to commit offenses against the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra Monastery” the lawyer stated.
As the UOJ reported, the reserve previously took the St. Anna's Conception Church Church in the Lavra away from the UOC.
