The Russian Foreign Ministry demanded the release of the governor of the Kiev-Pechersk Lavra

Russia demands the immediate release of the vicar of the Kiev-Pechersk Lavra, Metropolitan Pavel. This statement was made by the special representative of the Russian Foreign Minister for cooperation in the field of ensuring the right to freedom of religion, Ambassador-at-Large Gennady Askaldovich.

“In Russia, they are outraged by another rude act of arbitrariness against the UOC, they are concerned about the fate of the monks and priests of the Kiev-Pechersk Lavra, who are under the threat of physical and moral reprisals. <...> We demand the immediate release of Metropolitan Pavel and the provision of appropriate medical assistance to him,” says in a statement.

Askaldovich expressed confidence that, despite all the trials, the UOC “will stand and will live.” Its persecutors are reserved a place “in the dustbin of history,” he added.

The diplomat also drew attention to ignoring the situation around the Kiev-Pechersk Lavra by international organizations. According to him, such behavior “can be regarded as connivance and connivance with the policies of the ruling regime.” Askaldovich also pointed to the silence of the United States, which, he noted, are “ardent champions” of religious freedom.

On April 1, the Shevchenkovsky District Court in Kyiv chose a measure of restraint for the governor of the Kiev-Pechersk Lavra, Metropolitan Pavel, in the form of round-the-clock house arrest with the wearing of an electronic bracelet. The court also refused to satisfy the request of the Metropolitan’s defense side to attend services in the Lavra. April 2 Sunday service headed Metropolitan Onufry.

On March 10, the leadership of the Kiev-Pechersk Lavra National Reserve ordered the representatives of the UOC to leave the territory and buildings of the Lavra until March 29 due to the termination of the contract. At the same time, the Ministry of Culture of Ukraine stated that the monks of the UOC could remain in the Kiev-Pechersk Lavra if they transferred to the schismatic Orthodox Church of Ukraine (OCU).

After that, the servants of the Lavra filed a lawsuit in the court of Ukraine to challenge the termination of the lease. An application for securing the claim was also filed, and the court rejected it on March 30. Consideration of the claim itself is scheduled for April 26, 2023.

Commenting on the situation, Pope Francis said that the parties to the conflict should respect religious places. Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus’ Kirill called what is happening a flagrant violation of the rights and freedoms of believers in Ukraine and compared the ultimatum with “persecution of faith in times of godlessness.” The Kremlin also condemned the actions of the Ukrainian authorities.