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Ukraine Moves To Seize Historic Monastery

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The government wants to evict the Ukrainian Orthodox Church from the Pechersk Lavra in Kiev

The Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC) was informed on Friday that its monks and clergy had until March 29 to vacate the Kiev Pechersk Lavra, after a government commission decided they were violating the terms of their lease from the state. The church has refused, saying there are no legal grounds for the eviction.

Founded in 1051, the Pechersk Lavra (‘monastery of the caves’) is considered the most prominent Orthodox Christian site in Ukraine. Legally it is the property of the state, as a national historic preserve, and administered by the UOC under a 2013 agreement with the government.

According to a memo from the Ministry of Culture, published by multiple Ukrainian outlets, a commission established by President Vladimir Zelensky’s decree in December had determined that the UOC is in violation of the deal, and therefore must turn the monastery over by the end of March. 

The UOC does not intend to leave, however. Its head, Metropolitan Kliment, told the outlet Liga that the document “does not mean anything” and amounts to “opinions of the director of the preserve, not supported by legal arguments.”

“How can we leave?” said the metropolitan. “We are responsible for this heritage that we have guarded for decades. And now we must leave it to its destroyers?”

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FILE PHOTO. Kiev, Ukraine.
War of the churches: How Ukraine has become unsafe for millions of Orthodox believers

Although it has declared independence and condemned Russia – as required by Zelensky’s edicts – the UOC remains in canonical communion with the Moscow Patriarchate of the Russian Orthodox Church. The current Ukrainian government has repeatedly accused its clergy of being “Russian sympathizers” and in December moved to re-evaluate the status of the Lavra. 

Kiev is currently favoring the “Orthodox Church of Ukraine” (OCU) – a non-canonical organization established by the government of President Pyotr Poroshenko after the US-backed coup in 2014. In January 2023, the government evicted the UOC from the Dormition Cathedral and the Refectory Church, adjacent to the Lavra, and immediately gave permission to the OCU to hold a Christmas service there.

Zelensky has also sanctioned more than a dozen UOC clerics and even stripped several of Ukrainian citizenship. The move to freeze their assets was mostly symbolic, as the Orthodox hierarchy consists mainly of monks.

Moscow has repeatedly condemned Zelensky’s crackdown as persecution of Orthodox Christianity. Reacting to the announced eviction of the Lavra, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova wondered on Friday whether the US would get involved.

“Has the State Department heard about this?” she said. “This time they won’t manage to ‘not see’ the persecution of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church.”

The State Department’s “religious freedom” office has not commented on Kiev’s repression of the UOC. Its report on Ukraine in 2021 noted that US embassy officials had met with the OCU leadership, and reserved most of the criticism for Kiev’s treatment of Jehovah’s Witnesses.

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Montessori Schools Surge in Popularity as Parents Seek Personalized Education

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The education a child receives or doesn’t receive can have a big impact on whether or not they embrace their spiritual gifts. Montessori schools are educational spaces, that value individual growth and hands-on learning over traditional learning models. They are inspired by Doctor Maria Montessori’s vision, more than a century ago, focusing on a student-led learning approach.

Key features include mixed-age classrooms that promote learning from peers and the freedom for children to pick activities that interest them. Teachers act more as guides than lecturers, promoting a self-directed learning environment. Children learn independence, gain confidence, and nurture their curiosity, making them eager learners rather than passive listeners.

Montessori education doesn’t just focus on academics. It equally prioritizes social and emotional skills development, aiming to nurture empathetic, emotionally intelligent individuals capable of deep interpersonal relationships. The increased popularity of Montessori schools worldwide reflects a growing interest in more personalized educational models.

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Container Ship Dali Crashes into Baltimore’s Francis Scott Key Bridge, Causing Major Collapse, Many Missing

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Early on Tuesday, Baltimore’s Francis Scott Key bridge collapsed when the container ship Dali crashed into one of its pylons. The accident occurred around 1:27 am after the Dali experienced a total power failure and struck the bridge. The incident resulted in the bridge crumbling, sending vehicles and a construction crew into the waters below.

While two of the eight workers have been rescued one critically injured and one unharmed six remain missing. The Dali’s crew, totaling 22 members, reported no injuries. The Maryland governor highlighted the absence of structural issues with the bridge and dismissed any speculation of terrorism. authorities are now focusing on the search and rescue operation for the missing individuals and investigating the bridge’s collapse to ensure such a tragedy doesn’t reoccur.

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Israel’s Military Conscription Plan for Ultraorthodox Jews Sparks National Debate and Division

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In Israel, a controversial proposal to enforce military conscription in the Haredi community is stirring significant unrest and division. The current exemption policy is allowing tens of thousands of ultraorthodox Jews to avoid military service to study religious texts. Critics argue this system is unfair, as it places additional burdens on other citizens.

The proposal has sparked widespread debate, with Haredi leaders threatening mass emigration if forced into military service. Despite some ultraorthodox individuals voluntarily joining the military, opposition remains strong within their community, fearing it compromises their religious obligations. Government officials express concerns over the proposal’s potential to fuel division and undermine military and societal cohesion.

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