Zelensky backs expulsion of Christian monks
Ukraine’s leader believes seizing the historic Kiev Pechersk Lavra will strengthen “spiritual independence” | Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky has endorsed the order to expel monks of the canonical Orthodox church from the Kiev Pechersk Lavra, insinuating they were agents of Russia. Moscow has called on all Christian churches, as well as the UN and other international organizations, to respond to the “outrageous” decision. ● On Friday, the Ukrainian Ministry of Culture notified the monks they had until March 29 to vacate the monastery, claiming they had violated the 2013 agreement under which the state allowed them to administer the national historic preserve. Founded in 1051, the Pechersk Lavra (‘Monastery of the Caves’) is considered the most prominent Orthodox Christian site in Ukraine. ● Kiev has already expelled the canonical Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC) from two of the cathedrals above the monastery. Within days of that decision, in early January, the government-created Orthodox Church of Ukraine (OCU) was allowed to hold services on the premises. ● On Saturday, the head of the Russian Orthodox Church compared the eviction to the expulsion of Orthodox clergy under Communism. Such a move would “lead to a violation of the rights of millions of Ukrainian Orthodox faithful,” said Patriarch Kirill, in a letter sent to the UN, the heads of other Orthodox churches, Pope Francis of Rome, the Archbishop of Canterbury, Coptic Pope Tawadros II of Alexandria, and others.
Maria Zakharova (Мария Захарова; Russian MFA)(Mar 15, 2023) | Minister of Culture of Ukraine: Monks of the canonical UOC may remain in the Kiev-Pechersk Lavra if they go over to the schismatics. Without any embarrassment, the Kiev regime has voiced a criminal logic: the freedom of religion in Ukraine is being held hostage by the bandits at Bankova. (Trans.: DeepL.com)