19 January 2011, 13:44
Mykola Tomenko: The History of Construction of Desiatynna Church: either the Authorities tell Lies, or the Priests disobey the Laws
In the interview to Channel 24, Mykola Tomenko, Deputy Chairman of The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, commented on the construction of a new religious building on the premises of Desiatynna church, architectural monument of national importance in Kyiv. He stated that the history of construction of Desiatynna church is under a cloak of secrecy.
The Deputy Chairman received a response to his deputy inquiry, when he requested the Prime Minister of Ukraine and the Head of Kyiv City State Administration to confirm or refute the information concerning construction of a new religious building on the premises of Desiatynna church, and report on the scope of current works on its premises. The responses of the Prime Minister and the Ministry of Culture state that "the matter concerns only archeological excavations and museumification of the remaining foundation of Desiatynna church", whereas the information about "the alleged construction of a new church on the premises of the architectural monument of national importance, and the start of construction works" is fictitious.
M.Tomenko reminded that mass media quoted the representative of Ukrainian Orthodox Church-Moscow Patriarchate as saying that the construction project of a new religious building on the premises of Desiatynna church has already been finalized. "Two conclusions may be drawn: either the priests of Moscow Patriarchate neglect the applicable laws of Ukraine and the resolutions of the central and local authorities, or the latter agree to the plans of the church and misinform the parliament members and the public," the Deputy Chairman of The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine summed up.
Considering these facts, he appealed to the General Prosecutor with a request to assess legitimacy of actions of respective authorities and officials as to the possible construction of a new religious building of Ukrainian Orthodox Church-Moscow Patriarchate on the premises of the architectural monument of national importance.