of Kostas Onisenko
An agreement was signed yesterday between the Ukrainian authorities and Bishop Mikhail Koman, Exarch of the Ecumenical Patriarchate in Ukraine, on the use of the historic Church of St. Andrew in Kyiv for the services of the “Crossroads of the Ecumenical Patriarch” Mission in Ukraine.
It is one of the most imposing temples in the Ukrainian capital, a monument of architectural heritage of the 18th century.
The renovation of the church lasted 11 whole years, while in the previous six months negotiations were held for the operating conditions of the museum – Stavropigio, in order for both these uses to be done smoothly.
The agreement between the Ukrainian authorities and the Exarch of the Ecumenical Patriarch Mikhail (Anishenko) was signed yesterday.
The services in the Holy Temple, which start this week, must comply with the restrictions provided by the Ukrainian legislation on national heritage sites.
At the same time, the restrictions concerning the slowdown of the coronavirus pandemic, apply.
The monument remains property of the Ukrainian state, part of the protected buildings of the museum complex “Sophia of Kyiv” and continues to operate as a museum and is protected by Ukrainian law as a national heritage site.
The details of this coexistence are described in the agreement
