Abbess Seraphima at the Lavra standing: Every Kyiv citizen should be here

Abbess Seraphima (Shevchyk). Photo: screenshot of the video Telegram channel "Fortress Lavra"

Mother Superior Seraphima (Shevchyk), the abbess of the Odessa Archangel Michael Convent of the UOC, who participated in the service at the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra on February 27, called on all Orthodox Ukrainians to join in the prayer vigil for the sanctuary.

"Each of us who visits the Lavra must definitely stand in prayer," said the abbess in a comment to the Telegram channel "Fortress Lavra". "Here is the 'Praise of Pechersk' – the Most Holy Theotokos, Who receives all of us with love, with blessing. And in order for this blessing to be effective, we simply must sincerely and humbly lift up praise to Her and our prayer requests."

Mother Seraphima emphasized that "the Lavra is our great sanctuary, and it is forever in our hearts."

"No one and nothing can take this grace away from us. That's why we are always here. Every resident of Kyiv should be here, every Ukrainian, because the Lavra is this fortress that holds us all. And we believe that the Most Holy Theotokos of Pechersk will have mercy on us, and Ukraine will win," added the abbess.

Earlier, the UOJ reported that Ukrainian Member of Parliament Yevhen Shevchenko called for the immediate return of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra to the Ukrainian Orthodox Church.

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