General Staff's spokesman: Special services ban fundraising for Lavra abbot

Andriy Kovalev (on the right) together with his "spiritual mentor" from the OCU. Photo: facebook.com/andriy.kovalov

On July 18, 2023, the spokesperson for the General Staff of the AFU, Andriy Kovalev, revealed that the special services conducted "preventive conversations" with the initiators of fundraising for the bail payment for Metropolitan Pavel.

During a broadcast on "Channel 5," Kovalev, a former press secretary of the UOC-KP, commented on his Facebook post, where he mentioned the donation boxes set up for the bail payment.

According to his opinion, "ideological followers of the Moscow Patriarchate throw money there (into the donation boxes), but I am not sure they can gather the 33 million hryvnias declared for citizen Lebed".

He was pleased that the "exposure" works in Ukraine, and he stated that some special services saw his post on Facebook, and their representatives conducted "preventive conversations" with the individuals from the Moscow Patriarchate. As a result, after a few hours, the signs for the bail for Metropolitan Pavel were removed from the donation boxes, and these activities ceased.

As reported, Metropolitan Pavel addressed the brethren of the Lavra from the Lukyanivka Prison.

Read also

Ultra-Orthodox Jews paralyze traffic in Israel over arrest of draft evaders

Ultra-Orthodox demonstrators blocked highways and railway tracks, demanding an end to the arrest of those refusing military service.

Patronal feast celebrated at Kherson cathedral damaged by shelling

Because of damage caused by Russian shelling, the festal Liturgy on the Day of the Holy Spirit was celebrated for the first time in the lower church of the Kherson Eparchy’s cathedral.

Kremenchuk Eparchy comments on situation around Holy Trinity Cathedral

The UOC emphasized that any disputes regarding the Holy Trinity Cathedral in Kremenchuk should be resolved exclusively within the legal framework.

4,000 faithful celebrate patronal feast of Holy Spirit Skete of Pochaiv Lavra

The celebration of the Day of the Holy Spirit brought together pilgrims from across Ukraine at the skete of Pochaiv Lavra.

OCU supporters prepare to seize UOC church in Kolonshchyna

In a village in Kyiv Region, OCU supporters held what parishioners describe as an unlawful meeting to “transfer” a UOC parish, despite the religious community having already reaffirmed its loyalty to its Church.

His Beatitude officiates at Liturgy in Kyiv on Day of the Holy Spirit

At the church complex dedicated to the Icon of the Mother of God “Quick to Hear” in Kyiv, the Primate of the UOC celebrated the festal Liturgy and offered prayers for peace in Ukraine.