A New Chapter for Kyiv’s St. Nicholas Church: State Finalizes 50-Year Lease to Catholic Parish
Historical Justice in Kyiv ⛪️
KYIV - The Ministry of Culture in Ukraine has officially handed over the St. Nicholas Church to the Catholic community for the next 50 years!
After years of discussion, the parish will now be responsible for the restoration and daily life of this stunning neo-Gothic monument. Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko and Minister Tetyana Berezhna joined clergy members on January 6 to celebrate this milestone of religious freedom and unity.
In a significant step for interfaith relations and heritage preservation, the Ukrainian government has successfully transferred the iconic St. Nicholas Church to the local Catholic community.
Key Highlights of the Agreement:
Duration: A 50-year free-of-charge use agreement.
Responsibility: The Parish of St. Nicholas will handle utility costs, insurance, and the physical upkeep of the monument.
State Role: The Ministry of Culture retains ownership, ensuring the Gothic landmark is protected under national heritage laws.
Cultural Transition: The National House of Organ and Chamber Music will eventually relocate to a new "House of Music," with site selection currently underway.
Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko hailed the event as a "symbol of unity," noting that even in wartime, Ukraine remains dedicated to protecting the rights of all faiths. Apostolic Nuncio Visvaldas Kulbokas added that the return of the church to its original purpose as a house of prayer is a fulfillment of a long-held aspiration for the community.
While the church returns to its roots as a place of worship, the state will continue to protect the building’s architecture and is currently scouting a new location for the National House of Organ and Chamber Music.
Source: https://mcsc.gov.ua/news/ministerstvo-kultury-peredalo-kostel-svyatogo-mykolaya-u-kyyevi-v-bezoplatne-korystuvannya-katolyczkij-gromadi/
Image By Konstantin Brizhnichenko - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0
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