This morning, the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) launched searches in the Pochayiv Assumption Lavra, which belongs to the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (Moscow Patriarchate). According to the information received from the sources in law enforcement agencies, the main reason for the visit was the suspected spread of Russian ideology by representatives of Russian ideology.
The SBU conducts searches within the framework of the bill, which the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine adopted as a basis on October 19 and which provides for the termination of the activity of religious organizations related to Russia. This step can be another step towards the official ban on the activity of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (MP), whose control has previously been inspected by the SBU.
The Pochayiv Assumption Lavra, located in the Ternopil region, is under the control of the UOC (MP) and is the largest Orthodox shrine in the west of Ukraine, occupying the second place in importance after the Kiev-Pechersk Lavra. The Pochaiv Theological Seminary is also located on its territory.
Earlier in Ukraine, prohibitions for religious organizations related to Russia have already been introduced in connection with the aggressive actions of the aggressor country. Such actions of the SBU may be associated with the official cessation of the Pochaiv Assumption Lavra on the background of promoting Russian ideology and accusations of cooperation with the Russian Federation.
