UOC hierarch shows the state Lavra temples were handed over to monks

Building No. 68 of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra in 2003. Photo: a video screenshot on the Facebook page of Metropolitan Varsonofy

Metropolitan Varsonofy of Vinnytsia and Bar published on his Facebook page a video dated 2003, which shows the condition of building No. 68 of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra with the Church of the "Joy to all Who Sorrow" Icon when the state reserve handed it over to the monastery.

In the video, Vladyka Varsonofy, who was a hegumen at the time, said that from pre-revolutionary times, a hospital and a church were located in this building. During the period when the building was used by the reserve administration, it gradually fell into disrepair. Cracks formed in the foundation and walls and bricks fell out so the building was in danger of collapsing. The roof leaked in many places, which resulted in damaged ceilings, and the walls were affected by fungus.

After the transfer of the building to the monks, "for several years, with the efforts of the Lavra brethren, capital repairs were carried out in the building, the church was revived, and its dome was restored".

In 2009, the temple was consecrated in honour of the icon of the Mother of God "Joy to all who Sorrow". The rite of consecration was led by His Beatitude Metropolitan Volodymyr of Kyiv and All Ukraine.

As reported, a video showing what the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra was like before it was restored by the monks of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church and what it is now was published on the Internet.

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