Metropolitan Pavel: The Lavra was rebuilt without state support

Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra. Photo: Lavra website

Metropolitan Pavel, the abbot of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra, stated in an interview with the monastery’s website that the restoration of the Lavra after the Soviet era took place without significant government assistance.

“Before that, the churches and buildings were in ruins, and the caves were in a deplorable state. Almost without any state support, but thanks to the donations of kind people, the Lavra began to be rebuilt,” noted Metropolitan Pavel, who has headed the monastery for 31 years.

According to him, “all restoration work was carried out by licensed groups from all over Ukraine under the supervision of the national museum-reserve and government institutions.”

The abbot emphasized that during his tenure, they managed not only to restore the architectural complex but also to form “a wonderful monastic community.” “Forty members of the brotherhood have been ordained as bishops,” he noted.

Speaking about the current situation, Metropolitan Pavel expressed concern that the monastics – “nearly two hundred laborers of the Mother of God's abode” – are being threatened with eviction from their home. “These Ukrainian citizens are being deprived of the right to pray in their own Church, in their own monastery,” he said.

“We remain citizens of Ukraine who have the right to freedom of religion,” the abbot of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra stressed.

Earlier, the UOJ reported that a commission from the Ministry of Culture, accompanied by police, broke the locks at the entrances to the Near and Far Caves of the Lavra.

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