Ostapenko complains that few people go to "services" of OCU in the Lavra
OCU "service" in the Assumption Cathedral of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra. Photo: spzh.media
Director of the National Reserve "Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra" Maksym Ostapenko complained that not many Ukrainians attend the services of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine (OCU) in the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra. He mentioned this in an interview with Ukrainske Radio.
According to him, the reserve got rid of traces of the monastery named after "Pasha Mercedes" in the Upper Lavra, after which the OCU, led by Avrahamiy Lotysh, started conducting services there.
"Unfortunately, not many Ukrainians have been able to restore their spiritual place in the Lavra yet, but with each passing month, their number is growing," he said.
Ostapenko also mentioned that the OCU is present in the Lower Lavra – in the 70th building, where Lotysh and other "monks" of his organization reside.
He noted that the rights of the believers of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC) are not violated because "monks of the UOC who have not decided on their position continue to stay within the walls of the Lower Lavra and also conduct services there."
As reported by the UOJ, the Ministry of Culture closed the entrance to the Lower Lavra for believers, teachers, and students of the Kyiv Theological Academy and Seminary (KDAiS).
Read also
Greece signs memorandum on protection of Jerusalem Patriarchate's shrines
Next week, the Greek Parliament will ratify a document on the protection of the cultural heritage of the Jerusalem Patriarchate.
Greek bishop calls imposition of same-sex marriage a threat
Metropolitan Seraphim of Kythera urged families to become a “domestic church” amid threats to the Christian family in Greek laws and school curricula.
Patriarch Bartholomew arrives in Budapest for opening of Orthodox center
The Ecumenical Patriarch has arrived in Hungary, where he will preside over the consecration of the Orthodox center "Phanarion."
OCU raiders stage attack on seized church in Kyiv, media
OCU "hierarch" Serhiy Horobtsov published a provocative post online regarding St. John's Church in Bykivnia seized by his people.