Lavra responds to Lotysh's accusations of being unpatriotic
The brethren of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra recalled the flight of Epiphany Dumenko from Kyiv in the first days of the war.
The monks of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra said they were surprised to read the manipulative accusations of the former monk of the Lavra Avrahamiy (Lotysh) of the lack of patriotism in the UOC, says the message the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra brotherhood.
"Recall that unlike the head of the ЩCU Epifaniy, the Primate of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church Metropolitan Onuphrн did not leave Ukraine with the onset of military aggression, but stayed with his flock in the most difficult and dangerous time. As the Lord Himself said: ‘The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. 12 The hired hand is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep’ (John 10:11-13). Therefore, if we talk about those who lived the first terrible months of the war in anticipation, watching from a safe place – what would happen next – it was definitely not Metropolitan Onuphry, who during the war did not go anywhere but stayed in the homeland, risking his life like millions of Ukrainians," says the brethren’s message.
The monks also explained that true patriotism of monks is expressed in sincere prayer and readiness to stay with their people in difficult circumstances. The Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra has been helping the military since the first day of the war not only with daily prayers but also financially.
The brethren of the Lavra called on the Ukrainian people to unite.
"We should immediately stop all strife and disputes that sow discord and divide the country. May the merciful Lord protect our long-suffering people from the enemy and adversary, grant victory and blessed long-awaited peace. We pray for the AFU, we pray for our Ukrainian people, we ask God for peace and harmony for Ukraine," the monks wrote.
As reported, earlier the "abbot of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra" from the OCU Avrahamiy Lotysh said that only his denomination should be present in the monastery.
