Abbot of Kyiv Pechersk Lavra summoned for interrogation, restriction measure to be decided

Ukrainska Pravda
·1 min read
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Metropolitan Pavlo Lebid of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Moscow Patriarchate (UOC-MP) was summoned for interrogation by the Security Service of Ukraine (SSU) on Saturday, 1 April.

Source: website of Kyiv Pechersk Lavra (Kyiv Monastery of the Caves)

Details: It is noted that Pavlo was summoned for interrogation by the SSU at 12:00, after searches at his home.

After that, the issue of choosing a restriction measure will be decided.

A video, in which Pavlo says that he was "put under house arrest" is being shared online. 

Background:

  • In March 2023, the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra National Reserve terminated an agreement with the UOC-MP that allowed the church to use the premises of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra free of charge. UOC-MP clergy have been ordered to vacate all premises of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra by 29 March.

  • The priests of the UOC-MP should have left the monastery on 29 March after holding their last service there.

  • But Metropolitan Pavlo said he did not intend to do that and filed a lawsuit against the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra National Reserve.

  • He also openly threatened Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and said Minister of Culture and Information Policy Oleksandr Tkachenko was "possessed by an unholy spirit".

  • On the evening of 29 March, the UOC-MP website reported that the Kyiv Commercial Court had opened proceedings in a case brought by the Holy Dormition Monastery against the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra National Reserve over the termination of the lease agreement by the National Reserve.

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