A case opened against Lavra’s abbot as he calls Dumenko self-ordained

Metropolitan Pavel, Abbot of the Holy Dormition Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra. Photo: 24tv.ua

Metropolitan Pavel, Abbot of the Holy Dormition Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra. Photo: 24tv.ua

On January 17, 2023, the Prosecutor General's Office of Ukraine (GPU – hereinafter) began criminal proceedings against the vicar of the Holy Dormition Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra, Metropolitan Pavel (Lebed).

The case against the bishop of the UOC was opened under Art. 161, part 2 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (“Violation of the equality of citizens based on their race, nationality or religious preferences”), MP Yaroslav Yurchyshyn said on Telegram.

According to the politician, it seemed to him that the statements of Metropolitan Pavel during the Christmas sermon about the head of the UOC Epifaniy (Dumenko) were sowing discord among believers.

Yurchyshyn confirmed that it was on the basis of his appeal to the GPU that the case against the Lavra’s abbot had been initiated.

During a sermon in the church in honor of St. Agapit of Pechersk, Metropolitan Pavel called the head of the OCU Epifaniy (Dumenko) self-sanctified, while the head of the UOC-KP Filaret (Denisenko) a schismatic.

However, the MP Yurchyshyn did not mention that during the same homily, Metropolitan Pavel called on the parishioners of the UOC to silence and prayer, and also not to succumb to any provocations of the representatives of the OCU.

As reported by the UOJ, Metropolitan Pavel, the abbot of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra, said that Ukraine is being destroyed not only from the outside, but also from the inside.

Read also

Human rights advocates: TRC threatens those wishing to join Romanian Church

Three communities in Chernivtsi Oblast were threatened with mobilization of their men if they did not withdraw applications to change jurisdiction.

Human rights advocates: DESS sabotaging establishment of RomOC in Ukraine

Yelenskyi claims that the existence of Romanian Church structures in Ukraine requires the consent of the OCU.

German RCC preparing document to introduce gender ideology in schools

Catholic bishops want to eliminate “irritation or concern over the diversity of sexual identities.”

U.S. bill introduced to preserve the Pope’s American citizenship

The bill provides for exemption from U.S. tax reporting and liability during the pontificate.

Kirovohrad and Oleksandriia UOC Eparchies to be inspected for “ties to ROC”

Local authorities say they are awaiting how the Kyiv Metropolia complies with the DESS order.

UOC accuses DESS of coercing the Church into illegal activities

The Church has revealed serious violations in the process of conducting research by the State Service for Ethnopolitics and Freedom of Conscience and called their requirements contradictory to the laws of Ukraine.