Soldier about Lavra: While I defend Ukraine, they want to take my home
AFU soldier. Photo: video screenshot
UOC lawyer, Archpriest Nikita Chekman, shared a video message from a Ukrainian Armed Forces serviceman on his Telegram channel. In the video, the soldier addresses the judges handling the case of the monks' eviction from the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra, asking to join the court proceedings.
In his message, he stated: "I, a soldier of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, who has been defending Ukraine since 2014, am simply being evicted from the Holy Dormition Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra, where I am a novice. The state I am defending wants to take away my home." He emphasized that most of the monks in the monastery are elderly, have been in the monastery since their youth, and have nowhere else to go.
He also posed a question to the judges: "What am I fighting for? I have injuries, I have state awards… My comrades and I are faithful to the UOC, which the Verkhovna Rada has 'banned.' I am simply at a loss for words."
In his appeal, he requested a postponement of the court hearing and added: "I sincerely ask to be included in the process as a third party. I have something to say. I have something to explain. There are no separatists in our Lavra, there are no pro-Russian agents or people affiliated with the Russian Orthodox Church."
As previously reported by the UOJ, on October 3, the Northern Commercial Court is hearing the case regarding the eviction of the monks from the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra. The monastery's brethren is asking for prayers.
Read also
Medieval сhurch сrumbles as Culture Ministry сites missing agreement
The 14th–15th-century St. Nicholas Church in Chesnyky, Ivano-Frankivsk Region, is falling into disrepair.
Poland сondemns Lviv Regional Council's decision to declare 2007 year of UPA
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk says the Lviv Regional Council's decision to dedicate 2027 to the UPA and Roman Shukhevych is harmful to Ukraine.
OCU seeks court recognition of ownership of seized Cherkasy cathedral
The Cherkasy Regional Commercial Court will hear an OCU lawsuit seeking ownership of St. Michael's Cathedral, which was seized from UOC believers.
Lithuanian bishop: Ukraine is no model for believers' rights
Vicar of Vilnius Diocese voices concern over attempts to import Ukraine's religious conflict into Lithuania.
Hundreds of believers honor St. Alexis of Carpatho-Russia in Khust Eparchy
At the St. Nicholas Monastery in the village of Iza-Karputlash, Metropolitan Mark of Khust led a festive liturgy, concelebrated by six metropolitans, five archbishops and three bishops.
Court upholds UOC parish appeal in Voloshky over OCU switch dispute
The Northern Commercial Court of Appeal has upheld the appeal of the St. Nicholas parish of the UOC in the village of Voloshky, Volyn region, in a dispute over a transfer to the OCU.