Pochaiv Reserve asks police to investigate UOC pilgrimage to Pochaiv Lavra

Pochaiv Lavra. Illustration: UOJ

On August 4, 2026, the administration of the Kremenets–Pochaiv State Historical and Architectural Reserve asked the police to verify the legality of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church's pilgrimage to Pochaiv Lavra, Ukrinform reports.

The reserve's director, Vasyl Ilchyshyn, effectively portrayed the traditional Orthodox pilgrimage as an event that could threaten the preservation of the monastery's property and cultural heritage sites. According to him, any mass event held on the Lavra's grounds must first be approved by Ukraine's Ministry of Culture and Strategic Communications.

"Under Paragraph 4 of Article 33 of the Law of Ukraine 'On the Protection of Cultural Heritage,' any activity within a historical and cultural reserve or protected historical area that negatively affects, or may negatively affect, the preservation, protection, or use of cultural heritage sites is prohibited. This includes mass events. Such events may only be held with the approval of the authority responsible for the historical and cultural reserve – namely, the Ministry of Culture and Strategic Communications of Ukraine. However, we received no notification about the gathering of pilgrims at the heritage site or any request for approval," Ilchyshyn said.

The reserve's administration therefore argued that believers should have obtained prior authorization from state authorities before organizing the procession and entering Pochaiv Lavra. The Ternopil Regional Military Administration likewise stated that it had received no requests seeking approval for the procession or for events to be held on the monastery grounds.

Police in the Ternopil region said the reserve's complaint had been officially registered. Officers are now checking whether the participants in the procession obtained the required permits and approvals.

The annual procession began on July 29 in the Volyn region. More than 2,000 faithful of the UOC are making their way to Pochaiv Lavra for the feast of the Pochaiv Icon of the Mother of God, celebrated on August 5. Police officers have been accompanying the pilgrims along the route.

As the UOJ previously reported, authorities in Demydivka banned a UOC religious procession.

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