Ukrainian Culture Minister Oleksandr Tkachenko said Thursday that the Lavra complex had been taken over by the state after the lease of the Moscow-controlled church expired on Dec. 31.
Ukrainians celebrate Orthodox Christmas in reclaimed church
→
Tkachenko said that the Orthodox Church of Ukraine (OCU) - the similarly named rival church - asked for and was granted permission to conduct the service at the cathedral on Saturday when Orthodox Christmas is celebrated.
Ukraine reclaims Kyiv cathedral amid church dispute
→
