MP: Authorities want to put an end to the Lavra issue soon
MP of Ukraine Artem Dmytruk. Photo: spzh.news
Artem Dmytruk, a Member of Parliament of Ukraine, stated that the authorities want to put an end to the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra issue and "deprive millions of Ukrainians of the shrine where their ancestors prayed for centuries" in the near future. He wrote about this in his Telegram channel, commenting on the handing over of suspicion to the Lavra Archdeacon Pavlo (Muzychuk).
The MP noted that the monk was not involved in filming videos, did not provoke scandals, and tried to tell only what he saw.
"It is interesting how could the Lavra monk engage in 'subversive activities' in favor of the aggressor state by publishing videos about what was happening near the Lavra? ... A huge number of those who appeared in the frame with Father Pavlo – from the 'mage' Belial who blasphemed church ceremonies to real provocateurs who insulted the faithful of the UOC – did not bear any responsibility or even the slightest punishment for their actions," he wrote.
At the same time, Dmytruk expressed bewilderment as to why the SBU qualified the monk as guilty of "subversive activities," rather than those "who engage in seizures of UOC temples, who constantly discredit the Ukrainian army by wearing military uniforms, who deliberately do everything to divide Ukrainians."
"Do these people not engage in 'subversive activities', and are they not the main culprits of the fact that materials with blasphemy, beating of UOC believers, and cutting locks off UOC temples are featured in the media of the aggressor state?" he added.
The MP is also convinced that the materials provided by the SBU, including correspondence and other materials, do not prove that the monk "justified Russian aggression".
"It is reported that the monk 'justified Russian aggression' in personal correspondence. Of course, the evidence of the SBU was not shown. But there is 'evidence' of correspondence with Shariy, in which black on white you can read a dialogue about the attitude towards the events around the Lavra. At the same time, there are no 'tasks set' or confirmations that the monk was coordinated to record 'provocative videos' in the correspondence provided by the SBU," wrote Dmytruk.
As the UOJ reported, the SBU announced suspicion to the Lavra monk.
Read also
President’s Office pledges “not to close a single church”
Olena Kovalska compared the authorities’ approach to the UOC with requirements imposed on businesses.
Congresswoman: What is occuring in Ukraine is clear persecution of Christians
Anna Paulina Luna warned that if persecution of Christians in other countries is ignored today, tomorrow repression against believers could begin in the United States.
UOC Chancellor: Today’s church raids are a carbon copy of 90s raider schemes
Metropolitan Anthony noted that such seizures are often accompanied by violence, beatings of clergy and parishioners, and bloodshed.
Budanov lights first candle of Jewish Hanukkah
The head of the Defence Ministry’s Main Intelligence Directorate took part in a Jewish religious ceremony.
ROCOR hierarch speaks about persecution of UOC at rally near Congress
Bishop Theodosy called on American lawmakers to pay attention to violations of religious freedom in Ukraine.
Volyn RC deputy demand inspection of UOC churches at state institutions
Andrii Bokoch is calling for an inspection of the affiliation of all churches and chapels in Volyn located on the premises of state and medical institutions.