Ministry of Culture: Part of the Lavra brethren has joined OCU
Brethren of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra at prayer standing. Photo: UOJ
Maxym Ostapenko, acting director of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra Reserve, announced on the air of Channel 5 about the transfer of the Lavra brethren to the OCU.
“I think you know that some of the monks have moved to the Orthodox Church of Ukraine,” Ostapenko said, “these are official steps.”
According to the official, in the Lavra "there are monks who are not just declaring but really trying to take steps towards civil society, those fighters who need rehabilitation, towards the preservation of Ukrainian shrines."
Ostapenko said that “the commission is now working, and there is an understanding that it is precisely those shrines that are preserved in the Lavra that they need to be preserved for Ukraine and the Ukrainian people. And the clergy are ready to join this.”
“There were certain encroachments on relics. And although it has not been fully confirmed, everyone knows that there were attempts to export the exhibits, which must be prevented precisely through state control,” Ostapenko said.
The official said that "all these items should be used specifically for spiritual rites, for Orthodox practices that are performed in caves and churches located within the monastery."
Earlier, the UOJ wrote that the Reserve discussed with the military the transfer of the buildings of the Lower Lavra to the AFU.
Read also
Novynskyi: Monk’s murder stems from hatred fueled against UOC
UOC Protodeacon Vadym Novynskyi said the murder of Monk Varsonofiy at the Sviatohirsk Lavra was a manifestation of hatred, lawlessness and persecution of the Church.
Serbian Church in US denies reports of involvement in honoring Zelensky
The Eastern American Diocese of the Serbian Church commented on reports alleging that Bishop Irinej would take part in presenting an award to the Ukrainian president.
OCU cleric calls UOC an “enemy” and urges unity with Greek Catholics
An OCU cleric said the presence of the UOC in Ukraine amounts to the “presence of the enemy” and called for unification with Greek Catholics.
DESS finds Zaporizhzhia Eparchy affiliated with ROC
Ukraine’s State Service for Ethnopolitics identified three signs of ties between the administration of the UOC’s Zaporizhzhia Eparchy and the ROC through the Kyiv Metropolia.
UOC choir director and catechist school in Dnipro opens enrollment
The theological school at the St. Tikhvin Convent in Dnipro has opened enrollment in three specialties.
Serbian president visits Transfiguration Monastery in Kozji Dol
Aleksandar Vučić visited the Orthodox monastery in Kozji Dol and discussed the situation of Serbs in the south of the country.