Metropolitan Pavel explains the situation with searches of SBU

Abbot of the Kiev-Pechersk Lavra Metropolitan Pavel

At a press briefing held on November 30, the abbot of the Kiev-Pechersk Lavra Metropolitan Pavel of Vyshgorod and Chernobyl spoke of political pressure on him and confirmed that a search had been conducted in the house belonging to him at the Lavra’s dependency, reports a UOJ correspondent. 

“On December 23, it was decided to conduct searches at my place, following accusations of me reportedly inciting interfaith hatred,” Vladyka Pavel said. “I would like to ask the SBU, acting by the order of the President of Ukraine (at least, they say so), what are faiths? This is neither Filaret nor Makary. This, if I said something against the Jews, Muslims, Catholics. That would be different. But I respect these people very much.”

Met. Pavel said that at night he was notified about the planned searches in the Lavra, a farm household and in his house.

“I do not reside in any house but live only in the Kiev-Pechersk Lavra. Who wants to see, I welcome all journalists. Today they were in the house, which I really own, but since 2013 I have never been there. In 2014, this house was robbed and icons were brought out from there. And I turned to the Prosecutor because I wanted to return the icons. Nobody paid attention to this. Today we saw no human presence there. Only someone has put a brochure of 2017, but I was there only in 2013. ”

Also, the abbot of Lavra said that he did not insult Mikhail Antonovich Denisenko but pointed out his bad deeds. In addition, Vladyka Paul called the accusation of a bad attitude towards Patriarch Bartholomew false.

“Today, pressure is being exerted on me from all sides, but I want to assure you that I am staying in the Holy, Catholic, Apostolic canonical Church,” the hierarch noted.

He also expressed surprise that they were doing searches in the economic complexes.

“Cows-terrorists? Sheep? I do not mind, let them look, maybe someone needs dung for their seed-beds. I also want to remind the channels that this house is for sale. You can buy, and we will give the money to orphan homes. As for the farm, it has been there for 20 years, raised from the ruins. Among other things, we provide local hospitals with food from this farm,” Vladyka Pavel explained.

As reported by the UOJ, the SBU began searching the abbot of the Kiev-Pechersk Lavra. Searches are conducted under the procedural supervision of the Prosecutor's Office of the Kiev region for "inciting interfaith hatred".

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