Lavra abbot tearfully thanks all those who prayed for his release
Metropolitan Pavel after his release from the pre-trial detention centre. Photo: a screenshot of Fr. Nikita Chekman’s Telegram channel
Metropolitan Pavel, after bailing him out, addressed with great excitement all those who raised money for him and prayed for his release. The video message of the bishop was published on the Lavra lawyer Fr Nikita Chekman's TG channel.
"I thank those people who posted bail, may the Lord send you good health and eternal salvation. Most importantly, brothers and sisters, keep the faith. Remain faithful to God, the Church and our earthly Homeland," the Metropolitan said.
Separately, the Vicar addressed the Lavra brethren.
"One thing I ask, be united in faith, love for the Church and the country," the abbot said. “We help our soldiers today with prayers. And to those who have already entered eternity, may the Lord grant forgiveness of sins. Because there is no greater love than to lay down your soul for your neighbours. They laid down their souls for us. And to our children, our soldiers, may the Lord send peace and prosperity".
The bishop said that in imprisonment he read the Patericon where the captured bishops, despite their reluctance, were bailed out by the people.
"Today it is repeated, in our time in the XXI century," said the Lavra abbot.
Read also
Priests and laity of Rivne Eparchy donate blood for children with cancer
In Rivne, the UOC clergy and laity have donated blood for children undergoing treatment for cancer.
Kyiv seminary students meet with People’s Artist Larisa Kadochnikova
Students of Kyiv’s theological schools spoke with the legend of Ukrainian cinema, who shared her memories of filming "Shadows of Forgotten Ancestors".
Bancheny Monastery reports provocation
The UOC monastery in Bancheny has reported a provocation by unidentified individuals.
Romanian Church to hold joint prayer for peace in Ukraine
On the fourth anniversary of the beginning of the war in Ukraine, special prayers for an end to the hostility will be offered in all churches of the Romanian Patriarchate, both in the country and abroad.
Armenian bishops call on authorities to stop Church persecution
At a meeting in Austria, hierarchs of the Armenian Apostolic Church reaffirmed their faithfulness to Catholicos Karekin II of All Armenians and called on the authorities to stop the persecution of the clergy.
Italian media: Ukrainian authorities persecute the country’s largest confession
The Italian outlet L’Identità reported on mass searches, the arrests of clergy, and the ban on the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, which it describes as the largest Church in Ukraine.