Zoria: Panagia from Phanar head – "help in the fight against evil" in Lavra

The head of the Phanar presents the Panagia to the self-proclaimed "acting" abbot of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra, Avrahamiy Lotysh. Photo: Facebook of Yevstratiy Zoria

Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew gifted the self-proclaimed "acting" leader of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra, Avrahamiy Lotysh, with a Panagia featuring an icon of the Mother of God entitled "Invincible Chief-Commander". OCU spokesperson Yevstratiy Zoria found symbolism in this gift.

"This gift from the Ecumenical Patriarch to the bishop, who is now on the front lines of the struggle against the 'Russian world' evil in the Pechersk Lavra, which has long been called the abode of the Mother of God, Her home, is symbolic," wrote Zoria on his Facebook page.

In his opinion, the fight against the monks of the holy monastery is "a fight against darkness".

"But we are not alone in it, because with us is the Invincible Leader with the sword of truth," concludes the OCU spokesperson.

As reported by the UOJ, the Ministry of Culture stated that monks from the Lavra, who are affiliated to the UOC, would be forcibly evicted in a month.

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