Metropolitan Volodymyr of Pochaev expressed his support for Metropolitan Arseny, Vicar of the Sviatogorsk Lavra

Metropolitan Volodymyr of Pochaev, the Vicar of the Holy Dormition Pochaev Lavra, together with his brethren, sent a letter of support to Metropolitan Arseniy, the Vicar of the Sviatogorsk Lavra. The letter expresses brotherly love and prayerful support during the period of trials and persecution that the Ukrainian Orthodox Church is experiencing.

According to the official website of the Sviatogorsk Lavra, where the full text of the address was published, Metropolitan Volodymyr recalled the words of the Savior, strengthening faith and courage in the hearts of believers in times of tribulation: «If they cast me out, they will also cast you out» (John 15:20) and «Blessed are those who are cast out for the sake of righteousness: for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven» (Matthew 5:10).

In his address, Vladyka Vladimir emphasized that suffering for the truth is the guarantee of eternal reward, and referred to the teaching of St. John Chrysostom: «It is not important what happens to us, but how we accept it». He noted that it is in patience, humility and hope that faithfulness to Christ is manifested and His truth is witnessed before the world.

«Unworthy I, together with the entire brotherhood of the Holy Dormition Pochaev Lavra, daily offer prayers to the Lord that He strengthen you on your archpastoral path, grant you spiritual firmness, courage and peace of heart and help you to worthily accomplish this feat of faith,» the letter reads. Metropolitan Vladimir expressed confidence that the current trials will only strengthen the Church, and, just as Golgotha was followed by the Resurrection, good will surely overcome evil.

At the end of the letter, the Vicar of Pochaev Lavra wished Metropolitan Arseny the graceful strengthening from the Lord, peace in his heart, firmness of spirit and the protection of the Most Holy Mother of God.

Earlier the hierarchs of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church published an open appeal to the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky with a call to immediately release from detention the vicar of the Sviatogorsk Lavra, Metropolitan Arseniy (Yakovenko). The reason for the appeal was the critical health condition of the hierarch, who needs an urgent operation, and his repeated detention immediately after he posted bail.