Lavra abbot: I am sure the caves will open soon

The Near Caves of the Lavra. Photo: the website of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra

The abbot of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra, Metropolitan Pavel, stated in an interview with the monastery's website his confidence that the caves of the monastery will soon be opened to the faithful.

“I asked to open the caves for people, and I am sure this will happen soon. I hope that the entire Lavra will be fully opened as well,” the hierarch noted.

Metropolitan Pavel emphasized the importance of access for believers to the Lavra's holy sites: “Only prayer can help those in power and the state, so we should not close churches, but open them, so that God's people can offer joint prayers.”

He stressed that “only the enemies of Ukraine can destroy and take away churches, handing them over to unknown parties.”

Addressing the believers who currently cannot access the relics of the saints, the abbot advised: “If you cannot get to the caves, take an icon of the saints, read the akathist, canons, and troparia to them. Our churches are also open, where the Holy Pechersk Fathers are especially venerated.”

In conclusion, Metropolitan Pavel called for prayers for the enlightenment of the “persecutors of the Church” and for believers to unite “around the Risen Christ” in anticipation of the upcoming Easter holiday.

Earlier, the UOJ reported that a theologian from Greece appealed to the heads of the Churches due to the sacrilege in the Lavra.

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