Monks of Kiev Caves Lavra lose access to their last two churches

DECR Communication Service, 18/02/2026

On 17^th February 2026, in the Holy Dormition Kiev Caves Lavra, the National Reserve officials cut the locks on two more churches in the Lower Lavra – the Church of the Exaltation of the Cross and the Warm Church. It was reported by the Lavra’s lawyer, Archpriest Nikita Chekman. Thus, the brethren of the Kiev Caves Lavra of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church lost access to the last church buildings where, prior to that, they still had been able to celebrate divine services, the Union of Orthodox Journalists reports.

That was yet another episode in the series of events aimed at transferring the premises and property of the Kiev Caves Lavra under the control of another entity. According to Raskolam.net, earlier, the Ministry of Culture of Ukraine had provided to the OCU for free use the first two buildings in the territory of the Lower Lavra, namely, buildings Nos. 49 and 70 – the Residence of the Metropolitan of Kiev and All Ukraine and the Chancellery of the Kiev Metropolia.

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Monks of Kiev Caves Lavra lose access to their last two churches

Patriarch

Department Chairman

Sermons

Patriarch

Department Chairman

Sermons