Lavra acting abbot of OCU: They consider me a traitor, but I am like Mazepa

Avraamy Lotysh is proud to compare himself to Mazepa. Photo: Gazeta.ua

Avraamy Lotysh, the only member of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra brotherhood who "switched" to the OCU, was appointed "acting abbot" by Epifaniy Dumenko. In an interview with Gazeta.ua, he stated that he was surprised by his appointment and "is not clinging to the position."

According to him, none of the monastery's brethren expected such a betrayal from him.

"Some consider this a betrayal, but I am glad that, like Ivan Mazepa, I am listed among the traitors in the Moscow Church," Lotysh said.

He claimed that Dumenko "continues to offer monks of the Moscow Patriarchate a chance to join the OCU until the very end," but none are willing.

Lotysh took over the residence of Metropolitan Onuphry within the Lavra but did not allow the reporter inside, stating that "many rooms were in a neglected state at the time of transfer."

"Today, our community is being formed there," Lotysh assured.

He mentioned that he regularly meets with Serhiy Dumenko, as Dumenko "constantly monitors the Lavra."

"His recommendations and advice are extraordinarily wise," Lotysh stated, adding that Dumenko likes "everything to be pious." At the same time, according to him, the head of the OCU can be strict "if someone violates something."

Lotysh claimed that he has 12 monks under his authority, and his dream is to "restore the Lavra to the times of the venerable saints."

Earlier, the UOJ reported that the OCU spokesperson, commenting on the lack of parishioners at OCU "services" in the Lavra, stated that the main thing is the truth, not the number of people in the churches.

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