Brethren of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra: We are faithful to UOC and our Primate

The clergy and brethren of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra denied the statements of Epifaniy Dumenko that they allegedly intend to go to the OCU.

"Epifaniy Dumenko expressed his belief that we, the brethren of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra, will or allegedly wish to move to the 'OCU'," the statement published on the monastery's website said. “However, <...> how can any Christian pray in a temple with robbers who first drove members of the Body of Christ out of this shrine and continue to do so elsewhere in our state, and then invite them to 'common prayer'?"

The monks of the Lavra said of the harassment they have been experiencing recently: "Searches are being conducted, criminal cases are being opened, sanctions are being imposed, bank accounts are being blocked, all kinds of obstacles are being created to the performance of services, temples are being illegally and forcibly seized, threats and badmouthing are being spread in the media".

The monks compare the current actions of the authorities in relation to the Lavra with the methods of the Soviet GPU a century ago.

"Back then, with the help of the GPU (State Political Directorate) organs, all the churches in the Lavra were seized. The "Living Church" hoped, with the help of the GPU, to take the monks to its side together with the temples. However, not more than ten people out of five hundred monks turned to the false path, and they soon repented. We are trying to continue this tradition of faithfulness, so if you hear from someone (no matter who tells you) about a change in our position, don't believe it," say the authors of the appeal.

According to them, they will not abandon "in whole or in parts their creed in favour of ever-changing political manipulation".

"We assure you that we have been and will be in the Truth and faithful to our canonical Church and its Primate, His Beatitude Metropolitan Onuphry," the Lavra brethren stressed.

As reported, earlier Epifaniy Dumenko said that the majority of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra monks will move to the OCU "monastery" with the same name after the Lower Lavra is taken away from the UOC and "if nothing threatens them".

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