17 November 2010, 11:26
Mykola Tomenko, Deputy Chairman of The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, appealed to the Prime Minister of Ukraine and the Head of Kyiv City State Administration with a request to elucidate the circumstances of the construction of a new religious building on the premises of Desiatynna church, architectural monument of national importance.
The Deputy Chairman stressed that Desiatynna church was the first stone church in Kiev. It was built by the order of Grand Prince Volodymyr the Great between 989 and 996. The Resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine of 03.09.2009 included the architectural monument "Volodymyr´s Town Citadel of the Ancient Kyiv with Desiatynna Church Foundation" into the register of the cultural objects of national importance and the State Register of Immovable Monuments of Ukraine.
M.Tomenko stated that under the Decrees of the President of Ukraine and the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine, archeological research and museumification shall be carried out on the foundation of Desiatynna church. "However, the mass media have recently announced that archeological research has been completed, and the construction of a new religious building has started," he declared.
Since the remaining foundation of Desiatynna church belongs to the national and European spiritual heritage, the Deputy Chairman of The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine requested the Head of the Government and the Head of Kyiv City State Administration to confirm or refute the information concerning the planned construction on the premises of the church.
M.Tomenko emphasized that the remains of Desiatynna church are considered as the national sacred object, so the authorities shall take into account the opinion of Kyiv residents and experts. "Only the residents of Kyiv can permit construction in the historical part of the city, let alone on the premises of Desiatynna church," M.Tomenko stressed. "Construction can start only after the public opinion survey and discussion are held," he summed up.