Abbot: The brethren will not leave the Lavra of their own free will
Abbot of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra, Metropolitan Pavel. Photo: lavra.ua
The residents of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra will not leave the monastery of their own free will, but only if they are "killed", said the rector of the Lavra, Metropolitan Pavel of Vyshhorod and Chornobyl in an interview with the UOJ.
The hierarch noted that the monks who came to the monastery in 1988 still remained in the Lavra. According to the bishop, they found the ruins left after the Soviet regime and managed to restore the sanctuary in subsequent years.
At the same time, Metropolitan Pavel expressed the hope that the authorities would not allow the seizure of the monastery by force. However, if this happens, the whole world will know what is happening around the Lavra, the bishop added.
“These are the grandchildren of the 'great leaders': Lenin, Trotsky, Stalin, Khrushchev. We will stand to the last, but if we are thrown out, let the whole world watch it. Every day we will talk about what is happening around the monastery,” he said. <…> People, our parishioners, will defend our Lavra. I do not call them, but they come by themselves. Lavra is our shrine, our home, we will not leave it of our own free will.”
As reported by the UOJ, the MP from the Servant of the People said that the security forces would be involved in the liberation of the Lavra from the UOC.
Read also
OCU chaplain: A soldier should not feel guilty for killing enemies
According to a cleric of the OCU, the word “killing” should not even be used in this context.
AFU servicewoman punished by “being sent to the frontline” for defending UOC
An OCU representative explained how commanders punish UOC believers who defend their Church.
UOC church seized after OCU's and UGCC's provocation at soldier's funeral
Supporters of the UGCC brought the body of a soldier into the church, pressuring a UOC priest to conduct the funeral according to the Greek Catholic rite in an Orthodox church.
UOC hierarch calls on the faithful to pray for the return of seized shrine
Metropolitan Theodosiy urged the faithful to communal and personal prayer to Archangel Michael.
Russian Orthodox Church Primate: Christ did not condemn death penalty
The Patriarch added that, although the Church does not welcome the death penalty, it has never condemned it if this punishment is carried out in accordance with the law.
Metropolitan Jonathan appeals sentence to Supreme Court
The Supreme Court has requested criminal case files from the Vinnytsia City Court for cassation review.