MOSCOW. March 30 (Interfax) - The first day of operation of a state commission accepting buildings of the Kievo-Pecherskaya Lavra was unsuccessful for the Ukrainian authorities, as parishioners forced the officials, who were seeking to seal off the Lavra buildings, to leave.
Footage released by Ukrainian media outlets shows a crowd of Ukrainian Orthodox Church believers pushing the state inspectors out of the gate. Before this, the parishioners did not allow the inspectors to enter the 55th building of the Lavra, the Agapetus of Pechersk Church and the Nativity of the Virgin Church, which were supposed to be checked and sealed first.
Commission members told reporters they had three months to accept all Lavra buildings and would have to call the police if parishioners continue to hinder their activity.