The State Service of Ukraine for Ethnic Affairs and Freedom of Conscience (DESS) will issue an order to the Pochaiv Lavra monastery requiring it to sever its ties with the Russian Orthodox Church (ROC), which is banned in Ukraine.
If the monastery refuses to comply, the DESS will file a lawsuit seeking the termination of the religious organization’s activities, DESS Head Viktor Yelenskyi said in comments to Ukrinform.
"Under the Law On the Protection of the Constitutional Order in the Sphere of Activities of Religious Organizations, we conducted a review of the affiliation of the religious organization Pochaiv Holy Dormition Lavra with the Russian Orthodox Church, which is banned in Ukraine. Since signs of such affiliation exist, we will issue an order requiring this religious organization to eliminate this connection. If the organization removes this affiliation, it will be able to operate freely in Ukraine and carry out its activities. If it refuses to comply with the order, as, for example, the Kyiv Metropolia of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church did, we will file a lawsuit seeking the termination of this religious organization," Yelenskyi said.
He added that the DESS will continue examining other religious organizations in Ukraine to determine whether they show signs of affiliation with the ROC.
