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.
Read also
432 UOC churches damaged in Ukraine during war, report says
According to the Religion on Fire project, 807 religious buildings in Ukraine have been damaged or destroyed as a result of hostilities.
DESS official gives number of clergy exempt from mobilization in Ukraine
A DESS representative said the actual number of clergy exempt from mobilization is significantly lower than the number of religious organizations designated as critical.
Cabinet keeps gas prices unchanged for religious organizations
The Cabinet has fixed gas prices for religious organizations through the end of the 2026–2027 heating season.
Concert held at seized Cherkasy cathedral
The OCU thanked the musical ensemble for choosing the Cherkasy cathedral as the venue for a Baroque music concert.
OCU activist admits breaking into UOC church in Sloviansk
Oleksandr Onyshchenko said that the OCU held its first "service" at the Seraphim Church, which had previously been broken into by forcing the locks and doors.
Archimandrite Ioustinos, longtime keeper of Jacob's Well, dies in Jordan
Archimandrite Ioustinos (Mamallos), the keeper of Jacob's Well in Nablus, has died after a prolonged illness.