UOC affairs manager on the situation around the Lavra: We are not defending buildings, but our faith

The believers of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church are determined to protect the Kiev-Pechersk Lavra, so the state authorities need to show common sense and prevent confrontation. Metropolitan Anthony of Boryspil and Brovary, the head of the UOC, said this at a press conference held at the monastery on March 15, 2023, Pravlife writes.

“We are believers, and all our hope is in the will of God. We do not know what will happen, but we know the mood of our people who are defending their shrines. We are told that people who are militant against us, even those who are fighting at the front, can come here. I would like to say that among those fighting at the front there are many faithful to the Ukrainian Orthodox Church. And I would not want the Ministry of Culture, the state to bring the situation to the point that here, on the territory of the Kiev-Pechersk Lavra, on opposite sides of the confrontation, twin brothers who are now defending our country met. Therefore, we believe in sanity, we still believe in justice, that everything will happen with an understanding of the situation, which confuses not only Ukrainian society, but signals are already being heard from other states – European, from other continents. I think that the Lord will somehow enlighten our powers that be in order to prevent this confrontation,” said Metropolitan Anthony.

As the bishop noted, now, even on weekdays, there are many parishioners and pilgrims in the Lavra who, knowing that the Lavra may be closed, “want to visit the caves and temples while they are in the canonical Church.”

“But if people feel that a shrine is being taken away from them, I think they will be ready for great deeds. Please understand: our parishioners, our faithful, brethren protect not just some earthly structures, buildings. They defend their faith. The faith that built these wonderful, wonderful churches that we are proud of, which are the hallmark of our Ukraine. But it has to do with our faith. This is Christ,” said Metropolitan Anthony.

In this regard, the bishop recalled the words of an ascetic who survived the events of the repressions of the 20th century: “Many times I thanked the Providence of God for me that I was born in times of persecution. And it is a great blessing of God not only to believe in God, but also to suffer for Christ.”

“So people who cause such grief not only to the brethren, but to the church body in general, must understand that believers will defend Christ, defend their faith. And therefore they will go sincerely, and for this they will receive the crown of eternal life,” concluded Metropolitan Anthony.

Recall that on March 10, 2023, a warning was sent to the monastery of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Holy Dormition Kiev-Pechersk Lavra about the termination of the agreement on the use of state property. The monks are ordered to leave the monastery until March 29. The vicegerent and the brethren ask for prayers.