Ukrainian Orthodox Church under Moscow Patriarchate seeks to provoke bloodshed in Lavra – SBU Major General 

Viktor Yahun, Major General of the SBU in reserve, stated this on Espreso.

The major general suggested that the first step to address the issue is to pass a law prohibiting the activities of the pseudo-religious group. He mentioned his experience with similar events and emphasized that the group is using the media and democracy to their advantage. “They will likely stop their activities if the other side is absent or there is less media attention,” he said.

He believes that the UOC (MP) is using the incident for their own benefit and has been disseminating their narrative.

“Appeals have been made to different churches and international organizations. The pseudo-religious group aims to provoke pro-Ukrainian activists into violence, which is their primary objective. This will enable them to portray themselves as protectors of the shrines while portraying the pro-Ukrainian activists as inhumane aggressors,” the major general cautioned, adding that people can be easily provoked at this time.

• On March 29, the UOC (MP) was to leave the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra. The Ministry of Culture stated that until the Economic Court makes a decision on securing the petition of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (MP), its representatives have no legal grounds to stay on the territory of the Lavra.

• On March 30, the Ministry of Culture’s commission, which was supposed to check the two buildings of the Lavra, was obstructed by believers: the representatives of the UOC (MP) did not leave the sanctuary, and Metropolitan Pavlo was summoned to the SBU. Also, the UOC MP held a service in the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra.

• On March 30, the Commercial Court of Kyiv refused to enforce the claim of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (MP) against the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra regarding the illegality of the unilateral termination of the contract. Also on this day, the government declared the 2013 order on the transfer of the buildings and structures of the Kyiv Pechersk Lavra to the free use of the UOC (MP) monastery as having lost its validity.

• On Saturday, April 1, 2023, the Security Service of Ukraine released fragments of intercepted telephone conversations involving the Metropolitan of the Church of the Moscow Patriarchate Pavlo.

• Metropolitan Pavlo was sentenced to 24-hour house arrest for 2 months.