Orthodox priests will not leave the historic monastery in the capital of Ukraine, Kiev. The government ordered the expulsion of hundreds of priests, monks and students accused of ties to Russia. The Orthodox Church reiterated its position as the deadline to vacate the complex has expired.
Pechersk Lavra is the seat of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC), which broke away from the Moscow Patriarchate following Russia’s invasion last year. Ukrainian officials suspect that some high-ranking priests have ties to the church in Moscow. But this is completely denied by the church. Meanwhile, the government has asked the UOC to vacate the complex within two weeks.
The deadline expired on Wednesday but the priests did not budge. The Ukrainian government says the decision came after the commission found violations in the lease agreement for the complex. But Metropolitan Clement of the UOC press office alleged that there were no legal grounds for the contract ouster announced by the government earlier this month. It is also an active political issue in Ukraine.
Story Highlights: Orthodox clerics say they will not leave Kyiv monastery
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