Activists chant in front of Lavra temples "Down with the Church!"

Activists tried to disrupt the service in the temple of the UOC. Photo: UOJ

On 13 August 2023, a group of activists tried to disrupt the festive service in the Lavra temples of Sts Agapitus of the Caves and Sergius of Radonezh with shouts of "Down with the Church!", reports a UOJ correspondent.

They were holding placards "Fate does not smile on slaves" and "The truth will make you free". Police officers stood next to the shouters and did not interfere with them in any way. The activists also parodied the chant "Lord Jesus Christ, have mercy on us sinners", which is popular among UOC believers. On its motive they shouted in a megaphone "Lord, deliver us from the Moscow horde".

The Lower Lavra is still closed for parishioners, all access to it is blocked by the police. There are three churches of the UOC adjacent to the Lavra wall: St Agapitus of the Caves, the Chapel of St Sergius of Radonezh and the Resurrection (Afghan) Church. Their entrances face the street, and they are still accessible to parishioners. The first two churches are next to each other, and the services in them are picketed by the OCU activists.

As reported, a vandal damaged the icon of the Saviour in the St. Agapitus of the Caves Church.

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