Lavra responds to another slander of “abbot”: Dedicate your time to prayer

Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra. Photo: lavra.ua

On March 29, 2024, the website of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra published a commentary regarding another slander by Avrahamiy (Lotysh) directed at the brethren of the monastery, who claimed that the monks continue to "promote the Russian world." Former resident of the monastery was urged not to spread false information, but to remember the Great Lent and dedicate time to prayer and the knowledge of God's world.

In his interview with the Facts publication, Lotysh complained that the state has failed to evict the monks of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church from the territory of the Lower Lavra over the past year.

"Lavra is an extremely important place for them, where the ideology of the 'Russian world' has been shaped for almost 35 years," said the former UOC monk. Moreover, he decided to assert that the leadership of the UOC supposedly rejoices at the defeats of the Armed Forces of Ukraine on the front, and the brethren continue to promote the "Russian world" to this day.

The Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra drew attention to the obvious signs of violation of journalistic ethics in the article, the lack of balanced presentation of information, slander, and incitement to religious hatred. It was emphasized that the interviewee is banned from priesthood and has not lived among the monks for a long time.

"The author of the article did not reach out to the brethren of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra Monastery of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church for comments," the statement said.

In view of the fact that the information in the article is "biased, one-sided, and unreliable", the Lavra press service published its comments.

"The Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra is a place of influence of the great feat of the Pechersk Fathers on the soul of a believing person. Most of the monks took their tonsure in the Lavra and vowed not to leave their abode. The Lavra is their home, which they have been restoring from ruins for 30 years and from which they are now being expelled, while the monks, besides God's world, know no other world," emphasized the monastery.

The Lavra noted that to this day, there are no legal decisions requiring the monks to vacate the Lavra. It was also reminded that from the first days of the war, His Beatitude Metropolitan Onuphry blessed the believers to defend Ukraine. A large number of UOC parishioners are currently on the front lines, and prayers for the soldiers are constantly offered in the Lavra.

"In connection with this, during the days of Great Lent, we urge not to spread false information about the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, but, following the example of the Pechersk Fathers, to dedicate time to prayer and the knowledge of God's world," concluded the monastery.

As reported by the UOJ, March 29, 2024 marked a year since the beginning of the prayer standing for the Lavra – memories of what it was like are being shared online.

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