Lawyer: Banks obstruct bail for Metropolitan Pavel
Metropolitan Pavel (Lebed). Photo: ctrana.news
Financial institutions actively tried to hinder the submission of bail for the release of the abbot of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra, Metropolitan Pavel, from pre-trial detention, reports the lawyer of the bishop, Archpriest Nikita Chekman, on his Telegram channel.
"Parishioners of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church repeatedly turned to us with complaints about the problems that arose when attempting to pay bail for Metropolitan Pavel," the lawyer noted. "Some banks unreasonably refused to process transfers to the special account of the State Judicial Administration (SJA). Other banks referred to financial monitoring and sanctions, which allegedly made the execution of payments impossible. We inform you that there were also cases of funds being blocked and returned to the accounts of individuals who tried to provide bail."
Father Nikita said that believers raised funds "through all possible means: 'banks' were set up in applications of national banks through grassroots initiatives, donation boxes were placed in the Lavra and virtually all Ukrainian Orthodox Church temples in many cities and villages across Ukraine."
According to the lawyer, without exaggeration, it can be said that millions of UOC parishioners participated in the fundraising efforts.
"Despite all the obstacles that were artificially created, they were overcome, as it is impossible to block over a thousand (!) payments from ordinary citizens, regular Ukrainians, made for the prompt release of Metropolitan Pavel," emphasized the archpriest.
As reported, on August 7, 2023, the abbot of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra was released from custody on bail.
Read also
OCU cleric responds to Hryshchuk's provocations at funerals for AFU soldiers
Sofroniy Chuprina refuted claims about the necessity of opening the Royal Doors during funeral services.
Kosmach residents accuse OCU monks of supporting "Russian world" ideas
Parishioners of the OCU stated that the monastery residents near the village of Kosmach use pro-Russian rhetoric, preventing them from switching to the "new calendar".
Medieval church in England safeguarded with National Lottery funds
The preservation of a 13th-century church in Leicestershire was made possible thanks to money from British National Lottery draws.
Lavra Reserve marks centenary of Bolshevik seizure of the monastery
Reconstructions of museum exhibits from the “museum town,” which the Bolsheviks proclaimed within the monastery walls, were staged by the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra Reserve.
Sweden stops state support for Islamic organizations in country
The Swedish government has officially stopped all taxpayer-funded grants to the aid organization Islamic Relief Sweden (IRS) after an investigation revealed risks of connections to extremism.
Head of Montenegro’s schismatics meet with Phanar representative in Rome
A Finnish archbishop under the Phanar’s jurisdiction held a meeting with a representative of an uncanonical church structure from Montenegro.