Abbot comments on the betrayal of Lavra sacristan
Metropolitan Pavel compared the defection of the sacristan of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra to the OCU that took place before Easter with the betrayal of Judas Iscariot.
The abbot of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra, Metropolitan Pavel of Vyshhorod and Chornobyl commented on the decision of the former sacristan of the monastery, Archimandrite Abramius, to move to the OCU.
“The days before Easter are coming, and the act of Judas, who betrayed him, and the end that awaited him, is known to all from the gospel story,” said the bishop.
Vladyka said that he tonsured Abramius as a monk and elevated him to new degrees. “As his relative said today, he was very harmed by a quick take-off. Perhaps, this is true,” the abbot said.
“God is his judge. He will receive everything from God,” the bishop emphasized. “Probably, the Mother of God weeded out such crafty people in her monastery.”
The metropolitan also urged the ex-sacristan to return the items of the monastery appropriated by him.
As reported, on March 29, 2023, Epifaniy Dumenko appointed Archimandrite Abramius, who moved to the OCU, "acting abbot" of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra. His Beatitude Metropolitan Onuphry of Kyiv and All Ukraine banned the former monk of the Lavra from ministry for falling into schism, without the right to commune with the Holy Mysteries of Christ.