The rector of Kiev-Pechersk Lavra, Metropolitan Pavlo (Lebed), has announced that he has been placed under house arrest following suspicions of cooperating with Russia, which were made by the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU). The SBU has not yet commented on this development. Metropolitan Pavlo did not provide further details, but stated in a video with Vesti.ua that he has been given house arrest. Currently, SBU is conducting a search in the area where he lives. Earlier in the day, the metropolitan was charged with alleged collaborations with Russia and sectarian incitement. The UOC and representatives of the Kiev-Pechersk Lavra have been in conflict in Ukraine. In March, UOC monks were instructed to leave the Lavra buildings by the end of the month, and in response, they have been invited to join the newly established Orthodox Church of Ukraine.
The rector of the Kiev-Pechersk Lavra, Metropolitan Pavlo (Lebed), whom the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) announced suspicion of cooperation with Russia, said that he was sent under house arrest. The SBU itself has not yet commented on this information.
“They gave me house arrest,” the metropolitan said, without giving details. The video of his communication with journalists was published by Vesti.ua. The SBU is now conducting a search in the premises where the Metropolitan lives.
Earlier today, on April 1, the viceroy said that he was charged with suspicions of “collaboration with Russia and sectarian incitement.” In January, a case was opened against the metropolitan under the article on violation of the equality of citizens depending on their religious beliefs (Article 161 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine).
In Ukraine, a conflict broke out between the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC) and representatives of the Kiev-Pechersk Lavra. In March, the monks of the UOC were ordered to vacate the buildings of the Lavra by the end of the month. In Kyiv, they said that they would offer the monks to join the newly founded Orthodox Church of Ukraine (the Moscow Patriarchate does not recognize the organization and considers it schismatic).
Read about the church schism in the country in the publication “Kommersant” “Departure of the Cross”.
The situation at the Kiev-Pechersk Lavra continues to escalate, with the rector Metropolitan Pavlo (Lebed) now placed under house arrest. The SBU has not yet commented on this latest development, but it follows suspicions of collaboration with Russia and sectarian incitement. This conflict between the Ukrainian Orthodox Church and representatives of the Lavra has now culminated in monks being ordered to vacate the buildings by the end of the month. As this situation unfolds, we will continue to monitor and report on any updates.