Pochaiv Lavra calls for strict fast ahead of UOC court hearing

The brethren of the Pochaev Lavra. Photo: the monastery's press service

The Holy Dormition Pochaiv Lavra has called for fervent prayer and strict fasting in the days leading up to the court hearing on October 30, 2025, regarding the State Ethnopolitics Service’s lawsuit seeking to ban the activities of the Kyiv Metropolia of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church. The appeal was announced on the monastery’s Telegram channel Pochaiv Leaflet.

“Brothers and sisters! In these days, when the Holy Church is undergoing trials, the Spiritual Council of the Holy Dormition Pochaiv Lavra advises that October 28, 29, and 30 be observed in strict fasting and intensified prayer,” the statement reads.

The Lavra emphasized that the court’s decision will also concern the Pochaiv shrine itself.

“We call upon all brethren, pilgrims, and faithful children of the Church to offer sincere prayer to the Lord, asking for His mercy and protection. Let our shared spiritual effort be a sacrifice so that the Lord may strengthen and preserve His Holy Church and our sacred places,” the message said.

As the UOJ earlier reported, the hearing on the ban of the Kyiv Metropolia of the UOC was postponed due to the illness of one of the judges.

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