KDAiS lecturer comments on the throw-in of the "song about Russia" in Lavra

Archpriest Volodymyr Dolgykh, a KDAiS lecturer. Photo: a video screenshot of the “1Kozak” YouTube channel

On November 18, 2022, Candidate of Theology, lecturer of the KDAiS Archpriest Volodymyr Dolgykh analyzed the purpose of provocation with the dissemination of the video, in which parishioners are singing a song with the words "bells ringing is rising over Russia, Mother Rus’ is awakening" at the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra. The theologian's comment was posted on the “1Kozak” YouTube channel.

Father Volodymyr pointed out that the UOC was accused of "believers praying for Russia" at the Lavra. However, as the priest points out, the video presented does not prove this: "we don't know for sure whether this is a fake or not; we don't know whether the video was overlaid with a sound recording". Therefore, Father Volodymyr believes, we should wait for the results of the technical expertise.

However, as the KDAiS lecturer stressed, the video shows people doing their own thing in the temple. "There is one priest who is just standing talking to some of the people, i.e. he is not leading the service and therefore has nothing to do with what is being sung," Father Volodymyr remarked.

Concerning the accusation that "the Lavra is praying for Russia," Fr. Volodymyr reminded us that a song is not a prayer, even if it mentions the Theotokos. In a prayer, there should be an appeal to God, or gratitude to Him, or glorification of God. But in the song heard in the video, there is neither the former nor the latter. "In its content, this chant is secular, even though it glorifies the Virgin Mary; there is no theological thought there," the priest stressed.

Archpriest Volodymyr Dolgykh suggested thinking about why the video was posted at all. It sows enmity among people, quarrels among Christians, and nothing good can come out of it, the priest stressed.

"The Ukrainian Orthodox Church is the body of Christ, its purpose is to save human souls, to bring people to God, and it has performed and continues to perform this function," the theologian said. He added that the true Church will not sow enmity among its sons and daughters, but will lead them to the main goal for which every parishioner comes to God's temple.”

As reported, the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra abbot spoke about the situation with singing a song about Russia.

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