Lavra abbot to the authorities: We will stand our ground to the last man

Metropolitan Pavel (Lebed). Photo: a screenshot from the YouTube channel of the Kyiv Caves Lavra

Metropolitan Pavel (Lebed), the abbot of the Kyiv Caves Lavra, said that a statement in which he asked on behalf of the brethren to allow the monks and faithful to meet Easter in the monastery went unanswered.

"However, the other day it was suggested to me again to conspire against the Church, but I gave a firm answer that this would not happen. Then one of the people who was there said to the director of the sanctuary: 'So, the Minister of Culture shouldn’t give his consent to the monks to stay at the Lavra for another month and a half,'" the abbot said.

It has become known that the authorities are putting pressure on the judges, as a result of which the third judge recuses himself from the lawsuit, which was filed by the lawyers in order to prevent the eviction of the monks from the Lavra. In connection with this, Metropolitan Paul appealed to the authorities to stop the pressure on the court and the faithful.

"There can be no compromises in matters of faith. We will stand to the last, the law is on our side," the vicar said.

As a reminder, the Kyiv Caves Lavra has filed a lawsuit against the actions of the Ministry of Culture to terminate the lease agreement.

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