Abbot: The brethren will not leave the Lavra of their own free will
Abbot of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra, Metropolitan Pavel. Photo: lavra.ua
The residents of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra will not leave the monastery of their own free will, but only if they are "killed", said the rector of the Lavra, Metropolitan Pavel of Vyshhorod and Chornobyl in an interview with the UOJ.
The hierarch noted that the monks who came to the monastery in 1988 still remained in the Lavra. According to the bishop, they found the ruins left after the Soviet regime and managed to restore the sanctuary in subsequent years.
At the same time, Metropolitan Pavel expressed the hope that the authorities would not allow the seizure of the monastery by force. However, if this happens, the whole world will know what is happening around the Lavra, the bishop added.
“These are the grandchildren of the 'great leaders': Lenin, Trotsky, Stalin, Khrushchev. We will stand to the last, but if we are thrown out, let the whole world watch it. Every day we will talk about what is happening around the monastery,” he said. …> People, our parishioners, will defend our Lavra. I do not call them, but they come by themselves. Lavra is our shrine, our home, we will not leave it of our own free will.”
As reported by the UOJ, the MP from the Servant of the People said that the security forces would be involved in the liberation of the Lavra from the UOC.
Read also
Upper Lavra court hearing postponed
The next court hearing in the Upper Lavra case has been scheduled for November 3.
UOC priest blesses ambulances at Kamianske medical center
A UOC priest in Kamianske blessed ambulances for a medical facility and wished its doctors God's help in their work.
Dumenko to German ambassador: Law targeting UOC also applies to other groups
Epifaniy Dumenko sought to defend Ukraine’s law restricting religious organizations during a meeting with the German ambassador.
Activists bused to court hearings in UOC cases, media say
A minibus has been spotted transporting protesters to and from courthouses where UOC cases are being heard.
Firefighters save historic UOC church from fire in Zakarpattia
A fire broke out at a UOC church in the Tiachiv district, damaging the altar and church furnishings.
Volyn Eparchy faithful collect six tons of aid for Sviatohirsk Lavra
Believers in Volyn collected food and warm clothing for people displaced by the war who have found shelter at Sviatohirsk Lavra.