/ world today news/ The canonical Ukrainian Orthodox Church convened a synod in connection with the alarming situation surrounding the Kiev-Pechora Lavra. The multi-million congregation awaited the results of this meeting. However, the fateful meeting ended in an unexpected way.
No intermediaries
Checkpoint in the center of Kyiv: concrete barrier and barbed wire. On one side – a small group of Orthodox bishops, on the other – men armed with automatic weapons. Such a picture could be observed on March 20 in the very center of Kyiv.
On the morning of the same day, a meeting of the Synod was held in the residence of the head of the canonical Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC). The main issue was the situation around the Kiev-Pechora Lavra.
We remind you: the monastery is completely state property as a national reserve. Part of it – i.e. called Dolna Lavra – is in the free use of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church. However, on March 10, the management of the museum ordered the monks to leave the grounds before the 29th.
Commenting on their decision, officials referred to the conclusions of the interdepartmental commission. The control body revealed a number of violations committed by the monastery in the use of state properties. It is not specified what exactly.
The UOC stated that the request of the authorities could not be fulfilled. It’s more of an “ultimatum without any explanation”.
In order to convey their position to the president, the clerics decided to talk to him personally. For this purpose, immediately after the meeting on March 20, members of the synod arrived at Bankovaya Street – in front of Zelensky’s office.
The security officer who came out to them said to submit a written request for registration. A Zelensky administration official later suggested the same. But the bishops flatly refused and continued to insist on a personal meeting.
Even the statement of the press secretary of the president, Sergey Nikiforov, that the head of state will not meet with the clergy, had no effect.
“The members of the Synod want to personally explain to Zelensky the situation as it really is. Further actions of the Synod depend on how adequately the state leadership will respond to the position of a million believers,” said the head of the UOC synodal information and education department, Metropolitan Kliment.
Silence of the President
As a result, representatives of the UOC hierarchy – about 80 – hung in the street for almost two hours. Some passers-by suggested putting foam on top of a concrete barrier for the bishops to sit on for a while. But the guardians of order did not allow this to happen.
Only an airstrike forced the clergy to leave the area. Moreover, as the local media reported, it was announced only in Kyiv.
“Unfortunately, we can’t wait any longer, but we hope that this meeting will take place in the future,” the UOC head, Metropolitan Onuphrius of Kyiv, said remotely.
He also added that the bishops had come to “express their consideration and respect” and would like to be treated similarly. Metropolitan Kliment, in turn, noted that the Ukrainian Orthodox Church will continue to strive for dialogue with the authorities.
Lots of ambiguity
The desire of the UOC clergy is quite understandable – there are indeed many ambiguities in the situation surrounding the Kiev-Pechora Lavra.
On the one hand, Metropolitan Pavel of Vyshgorod and Chernobyl and his brothers declared that they would stay here until the end. At the same time, in recent days, information has appeared that some of the monks have already left, and things are being taken out of the monastery. In particular, they distributed almost the entire contents of the library to the laity.
On the other hand, politicians also do not have a unified vision. For example, Verkhovna Rada deputy Nikita Poturaev threatens the brothers with “patriotic youth” who will come on March 29 to expel the monks.
And the Secretary of the SNSO Alexii Danilov, on the contrary, said that no one will be touched. True, he did not specify how the state would act.
Ukrainian Culture Minister Oleksandr Tkachenko offers his version. According to him, only the leadership of the UOC should be expelled. Ordinary monks will be able to voluntarily switch to the Orthodox Church of Ukraine (OCU), a schismatic structure established in 2018.
It was repeated by the pro-government political scientist Vadim Denisenko. “The process of transition of the UOC to the OCU will become much faster if the Kiev-Pechora Lavra is cleared. Now all the priests are at a low start,” he said.
Help from nowhere
Ukrainian politicians do not seem to be deterred by the opinion of the international community. The campaign against the Lavra was condemned by the World Council of Churches (WCC).
“The actions taken against the UOC raise serious questions about the observance of freedom of religion or belief,” the organization’s website said in a statement.
Pope Francis called for respect for religious sanctuaries. The same was said in the office of the Secretary General of the United Nations.
Patriarch Kirill addressed the world public. The head of the Russian Orthodox Church noted: “It is a pity that when the leadership of Ukraine declares its attachment to democratic norms, the European path of development, respect for human rights and freedoms, these rights and freedoms are violated today in the most obvious way.”
“The current situation shows that de facto there are no institutions left in Ukraine that could protect the canonical UOC. And the authorities, for their part, are trying with all their might to subjugate the church,” says theologian Roman Lunkin.
However, the expert adds, it is difficult to implement. The Ukrainian Church is the largest Orthodox organization in the country. And the million flock will protect her.
Translation: V. Sergeev
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##Seeds of Discord: The UOC, the Lavra, and Zelensky.
Welcome to World Today News, where we delve into the heart of current events. Today, we discuss the escalating tension surrounding the Kiev-Pechora Lavra, a focal point of religious and political turmoil in Ukraine. To shed light on this complex issue, we are joined by two esteemed guests:
* **Dr. [Guest 1 Name],** a respected historian specializing in religious conflicts in Eastern Europe.
* **Ms. [Guest 2 Name],** a Ukrainian journalist and commentator on political affairs.
**Let’s begin by setting the stage. Dr. [Guest 1 Name], could you briefly explain the historical significance of the Kiev-Pechora Lavra and its role within Ukrainian society and the Orthodox Church?**
**Moving to the present situation, Ms. [Guest 2 Name], can you outline the recent developments surrounding the Lavra and the Ukrainian government’s actions? What are the government’s stated reasons for these actions?**
**Dr. [Guest 1 Name], how does the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC) view these government actions? What are their concerns, and what strategies are they employing to address them?**
**Let’s delve into the international dimension. Both the World Council of Churches and the Russian Orthodox Church have expressed concern about the situation. Ms. [Guest 2 Name], what are the wider implications of this dispute for international relations, particularly in light of the ongoing war?**
**We’ve seen images of UOC clergy attempting to meet with President Zelensky. Dr. [Guest 1 Name], what does this gesture signify, and what possibilities or risks does it present?**
**Ms. [Guest 2 Name], how does this situation reflect broader tensions within Ukrainian society? Are there divisions within the population regarding the role of the UOC and the government’s involvement in religious affairs?**
**Looking ahead, what potential scenarios do you foresee? Dr. [Guest 1 Name], what are the best-case and worst-case outcomes for the UOC and the Lavra in this situation?
**Ms. [Guest 2 Name], how do you see the Ukrainian government navigating this complex issue moving forward? What are the potential political ramifications of their decisions?**
**This has been a fascinating and insightful conversation. Thank you both for sharing your expertise and perspectives. We encourage our viewers to continue following this evolving story and to engage in respectful dialog on this important issue.
**
**Please remember that World Today News strives to provide unbiased reporting and diverse viewpoints. We encourage you to consult various sources for comprehensive understanding.**
