Zelenskyy: We will not let Russia steal any valuables from our Lavras

Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Photo: screenshot of Zelenskyy's YouTube channel

On March 12, 2023, Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced that he would not allow Russia to steal any valuables from the Ukrainian Lavra. The President of Ukraine said this in an evening address posted on his official YouTube channel.

“There is a movement this week to strengthen our spiritual independence. Society sees it. And I see the Ukrainians’ approval of these steps of ours – quite legal,” Zelenskyy said, apparently referring to the decision of the Ministry of Culture to expel the UOC from the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra.

The President promised to continue “this movement”: “We will not allow a terrorist state to have at least some opportunity to manipulate the spirituality of our people, destroy Ukrainian shrines – our Lavras – or steal any valuables from them.”

Zelenskyy is sure that such actions of the state will help win the war and maintain unity.

“We can win. We can! If we protect our unity, each other and our state. I thank everyone who cares about Ukraine and Ukrainians! I thank everyone who cares about our unity – and the unity of the world for the sake of Ukraine!” the head of state noted.

Earlier, Zelenskyy said that the Ukrainian would no longer be alienated in the Lavra.

 

Read also

A soldier of the "Skelia" military regiment was detained for beating a chaplain

A serviceman of the Armed Forces of Ukraine beat a chaplain, breaking his jaw.

A new chapel was consecrated in Hlukhiv

Metropolitan Roman of Konotop and Hlukhiv performed the rite of consecration of a newly built chapel in Hlukhiv.

Ukraine Launches Educational Series About LGBT People in the Armed Forces

The Netherlands Embassy funded a series about LGBT people in the military.

Yelensky: Patriarch Bartholomew takes risks reaching out to Ukrainians

According to Yelensky, the Ecumenical Patriarch has proven that he is a true friend of Ukraine.

MinCulture says it never approved construction of high-rise near Lavra

A residential developer in Pechersk ignored the absence of permits and urban planning regulations.

Monk of Svitiaz Monastery of UOC parishes in the war

The Volodymyr-Volyn Eparchy expresses condolences to the brotherhood of the monastery and calls on the faithful to offer fervent prayers for the repose of the cleric.