Primate of Polish Church supports brethren of Sviatohirsk Lavra

On June 7, 2026, a letter from His Beatitude Metropolitan Sawa, Primate of the Polish Orthodox Church, was read at Sviatohirsk Lavra. Archimandrite Feofan read the message aloud in the Dormition Cathedral after the Divine Liturgy on the Sunday of All Saints. The head of the Local Church addressed the monastery’s brethren with words of guidance amid the grave trials of war, the Lavra’s website reported.

“Christ the Lord did not call us to the glory and joy of this world. He did not promise us external peace or the prosperity of earthly gifts,” His Beatitude Sawa recalled. The hierarch stressed that today believers must be ready to follow the Savior to the end. “The Messiah invites us to share in Golgotha, after which, together with Him, we shall experience the Resurrection. Jesus calls us to seek peace in our hearts and the gifts of the Spirit from heaven,” the letter says.

Metropolitan Sawa called on the brethren to remain calm despite the difficulty of bearing sorrows. To encourage the monks, the hierarch quoted Christ’s words: “Fear not, little flock! For it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the Kingdom… And lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the age.”

The head of the Polish Church assured the monks and laity of his constant support. “In these difficult days of Golgotha, God is with you. We, too, are with you in our prayers and goodwill. Accept our love and archpastoral blessing. Endure. The Paschal morning is already near,” the Metropolitan urged.

At present, Sviatohirsk Lavra continues to serve people amid complete isolation and active hostilities. Fire and ambulance services no longer come to the monastery, and the Lavra has been without central electricity for more than a month. The school and churches are being kept functioning with generators. In addition to the monks, around 200 refugees are currently living at the Lavra.

As the UOJ reported, Metropolitan Sawa filed a complaint with Constantinople over the actions of the OCU in Poland.

Read also