Avraamiy "serves" a memorial service for Mazepa in Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra

A memorial service for Mazepa. Photo: Facebook.com

A memorial service for Mazepa. Photo: Facebook.com

On 25 July, the newly-appointed OCU "abbot" of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra Avraamiy Lotysh "served a memorial service" for Hetman Ivan Mazepa, as reported on Facebook.

The event was attended by the Acting Director General of the National Reserve "Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra" Maksym Ostapenko.

Lotysh said that he thanked God for the gradual liberation of the Lavra from the "Russian world". "After all, no anathemas and threats of the Moscow Patriarchate can break the spirit of the Ukrainian people," he stressed.

In 1708, the Church anathematised Mazepa – for oath-breaking and treason, as well as for serving a foreigner.

As reported, on 11 June 2023, the first "memorial service of the OCU" for Mazepa was held at the All Saints Church of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra.

Read also

We will not be silent – we will defend our Shepherd! – Metropolitan Longin

The hierarch called on all believers to intensify their prayers for the Primate and urged the authorities to reconsider the decision before it's too late.

UOC faithful launch flash mob in support of His Beatitude Onuphry

"For years he has prayed for each of us. Now it's our turn to support the Primate," the statement says.

Refusal of passport to support His Beatitude may become widespread – expert

Kostiantyn Bondarenko believes that the faithful may soon actively respond to the authorities' arbitrariness toward the Primate of the UOC.

AFU medic to Zelensky: You took citizenship from His Beatitude – take mine too

Larysa Zburliuk returned all state awards she received during Zelensky’s presidency.

Google blocks popular RCC blog in Italy for "inciting hatred"

The blog authors suggest that the ban may be related to recently published materials dedicated to the criticism of female diaconate, Freemasonry, and gay parades.

Commission visits Krasnohirsky Monastery to inspect the non-existent caves

Officials stated that they wanted to inspect the "cultural heritage - Krasnohirsky caves," however, they failed to find them.