Abbot: We were handed a new letter demanding to leave the Lavra
Metropolitan Pavel of Vyshhorod. Photo: screenshot of the YouTube channel of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra
The brethren of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra received a new order to vacate Building No. 34. Metropolitan Pavel of Vyshhorod, the abbot of the Lavra, stated this in an appeal published by the press service of the monastery.
The hierarch noted that the monks reconstructed the building from the ruins and would not be evicted either from it or from any other building of the monastery.
“Who are the director of the museum and the minister of culture? Just ordinary people like us. They must respect the rule of law and have a little fear of God. There is no court ruling,” he said.
Metropolitan Pavel also commented on the rumors that appeared in social networks that President Zelenskyy had allegedly instructed to leave the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra and its monks in peace.
“Do not flatter yourself that someone has left us alone. Especially since I received another letter today for us to move out. What are we talking about? They just want to ‘lull’ us so that we don’t say anything, don’t take any action, just listen to new promises that are not being fulfilled at all,” he added.
The bishop recalled that a lot of monks live on the territory of the Lavra, who came to the monastery immediately after its opening in 1988: “Where can we place 200 people who came here 35 years ago? Who prayed, served, cleaned, restored, replenished the sacristy, looked after the relics."
As reported by the UOJ, the UOC is being expelled from the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra.
Read also
Hearing in Lower Lavra case postponed again due to judge’s illness
The session of the Northern Commercial Court of Appeal was scheduled for March 5, 2026.
Greek MP: Those who beat priests in Ukraine serve the devil
Greek politician and cardiac surgeon Nikos Papadopoulos, leader of the Greek Pulse party, condemned the persecution of Orthodox clergy in Ukraine.
OIDAC Europe report includes attack on Sviatohirsk Lavra
The international human-rights organization OIDAC Europe mentioned an attack on the Sviatohirsk Lavra in its report on hate crimes against Christians in Europe.
Hate crimes against Christians on the rise in Europe, report says
The Observatory on Intolerance and Discrimination against Christians in Europe reported 39 incidents targeting believers, churches, and religious symbols.
British Christians oppose idea of dresses for boys at school
Christian organizations have criticized a statement by the UK’s education minister suggesting that boys should be allowed to express their gender identity in primary school.
European Parliament hosts gender-identity class for schoolchildren
A session on gender identity was held in the European Parliament building for children aged 12–13 – participation was mandatory, and parents had no option to refuse.