Lotysh tells US delegation about "development of OCU monastic community" in Lavra

Abrahamiy Lotysh and the US delegation at the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra. Photo: Facebook

On April 24, 2026, a meeting took place at the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra between the "abbot of the Lavra of the OCU" Avrahamiy Lotysh and a delegation of American diplomats and politicians. Among the guests, as written on the Facebook page of the "Kiev Pechersk Lavra of the OCU", were representatives of the Atlantic Council analytical center, including former US Ambassador to Ukraine John Herbst.

However, in the published photos one can recognize American political advisor Robert Paduchik, Deputy Director of the Atlantic Council's Eurasia Center Shelby Magid, Avrahamiy Lotysh himself, and a "priest" of the OCU. John Herbst is not present in the shown footage.

It is noted that during the meeting they discussed "the challenges faced by Ukraine and Ukrainian Orthodoxy in the conditions of the ongoing war."

In addition, Avrahamiy "thoroughly familiarized the guests with the process of formation and development of the monastic community under the jurisdiction of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine on the territory of the Lavra."

At the conclusion of the meeting, as claimed, "as a sign of respect and gratitude for many years of support for Ukraine," Avrahamiy presented "American partners" with commemorative gifts.

As the UOJ reported, earlier the "abbot" Lotysh stated that the authorities oppress the OCU in the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra.

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