Lavra's abbot: They cannot explain to me who is the victim in my case

Metropolitan Pavel in court. Photo: "Suspilne"

On 29 November 2023, in Kyiv, a preparatory hearing was held in the case of the abbot of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra, Metropolitan Pavel, who is accused of inciting inter-confessional hatred and denying the military aggression of the Russian Federation, reports "Suspilne".

At the meeting, the prosecutor said that the bishop is also accused of offending the religious feelings of Ukrainians. At the same time, Metropolitan Pavlo told reporters that he had done nothing of what he is accused of.

"This is unjust. Who is the victim? In what way? What did I do to them that they suffered from me?" noted the UOC hierarch.

According to him, the premises where he is under house arrest are heavily guarded.

"I am guarded by 12 cars, I myself do not know who they are; they even manage to climb the fences with a torch," he said. He also emphasised that he had never been on the side of Russian aggressors.

Earlier the UOJ wrote that the Lavra's abbot commented on the meeting with ex-Metropolitan Alexander.

Read also

Court hearing on eviction of monks from Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra postponed

The judge in the case on evicting monks from the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra went on sick leave an hour before the hearing.

Cherkasy court postpones hearing in Metropolitan Theodosiy case over illness

The court postponed the hearing due to the health condition of the archbishop, who remains under treatment; the issue of preventive measures will be considered on December 26.

Capitol rally gives hope persecution of UOC may subside, analyst says

Bondarenko believes that American activists and Church representatives have once again managed to draw the attention of politicians and the public to the UOC persecution.

Congresswoman urges colleagues not to stay silent about Christians persecution

An American legislator made a statement on social media condemning the silence on cases of pressure on believers and demanding that colleagues openly defend religious freedom.

Patriarch Porfirije supports Serbian students and schoolchildren in Croatia

The Primate of the Serbian Church is one of the largest sponsors of scholarships for Orthodox students in Croatia.

Law banning LGBT propaganda approved in Kazakhstan

The document introduces a ban on the dissemination of LGBT propaganda in the media, the Internet, and public spaces, and is aimed at protecting children and adolescents.