Meropolitan Pavel: Brethren do not intend to leave the Lavra
Metropolitan Pavel (Lebed), Abbot of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra. Photo: spzh.news
The residents of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra do not intend to fulfill the illegal demands for eviction from the monastery. This was stated in a video message by the abbot of the Lavra, Metropolitan Pavel of Vyshhorod and Chornobyl.
“We do not intend and will not be evicted, because now there are laws that are on the side of a person,” the bishop said. “And to threaten us that they will deal with us – this is not 1917. Today there is an international community, there is some kind of culture.”
According to the hierarch, the brethren of the monastery "are not against all legal actions, but against illegal ones."
“We are not collaborators, we are citizens of our state. We have been living here since 1988, many of us have no other place than this; we gave our youth, our life here. And no one can tear us away from the love of God,” Vladyka noted.
He emphasized that the mass participation of believers in the celebration of the Synaxis of the Saints of the Kyiv Caves was an expression of their position regarding the fate of the Lavra.
“Yesterday’s celebration was a testament of the people of good will, those who remember their history, who live according to the Gospel,” the bishop assures.
He urged Orthodox Christians to intensify their prayers.
“We have not yet begun to pray so earnestly that the Lord would show a miracle, but, probably, they will still force us. I once again appeal to all believers with a call to intensify prayer, to read psalms from the 9th kathisma, the 17th kathisma. The Lord will hear us, because it can no longer be tolerated. Sanctions have been imposed, citizenship taken away, but they will not be able to do this with all of Ukraine, with all believers,” said Metropolitan Pavel.
As the UOJ reported, Minister of Culture and Information Policy Oleksandr Tkachenko said that in case the UOC refuses to leave the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra, the authorities included representatives of the SBU and the Ministry of Internal Affairs in the audit commission for the monastery.
Read also
In Ukraine, Trump’s 'spiritual advisor' reassured of religious freedom
Pastor Mark Burns stated that Ukraine, despite the war, is a "beacon of religious freedom."
Lavra brethren congratulate Metropolitan Pavel on 31 years as abbot
The monks of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra have expressed hope that they will soon be able to pray again with their abbot.
Amsterdam: Intrusion into Lavra Caves – a return to Soviet-era persecution
International lawyer Robert Amsterdam has condemned the actions of Ukraine’s Ministry of Culture regarding the inspection of holy relics in the Caves of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra, calling it a violation of religious freedom.
Over 20 EU states condemn Hungary for ban on LGBT propaganda among children
“This restricts the right to peaceful assembly and freedom of expression,” diplomats state in a joint declaration.
His Beatitude officiates consecration of Bishop of Rakhiv
At the Church of St. Agapitus in the Lavra, the Primate of the UOC ordained a vicar for the Khust Eparchy.
Met Victor: It is painful to see Lavra's relics turned into test subjects
According to the bishop, there is particular concern over how members of the scientific commission will handle the holy relics.