Metropolitan Pavlo (Lebid) of the UOC-MP (Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate) continues to threaten the acting abbot of the Kyiv Pechersk Lavra, Archimandrite Avraamy of the OCU (Orthodox Church of Ukraine). However, Archimandrite Avraamy does not respond to the threats.
According to Glavkom, as Archimandrite Avraamy mentioned in an interview with Gazeta.ua, Metropolitan Pavlo would call monks from the Lavra to his estate in Voronkiv for "conversations." The nature of these conversations remains unclear. When people ask why there haven't been any conversions, they need to understand the situation of the monks. However, every individual must make a choice, and if someone is a conscious Ukrainian, they should stand on the side of good and the state, according to the clergyman.
Archimandrite Avraamy also stated that among the monks of the Kyiv Pechersk Lavra, many are ready to go to the OCU. However, they are under increased scrutiny because their transition could undermine trust in the Moscow Patriarchate.
After publicly declaring his transition to the OCU, Archimandrite Avraamy was prevented from returning to the Lavra. Representatives of the Moscow Church in Ukraine broke into his cell and seized the keys to his premises.
Archimandrite Avraamy mentioned that after taking on the duties of the prior of the Kyiv Pechersk Lavra, the leadership of the UOC-MP prohibited him from performing religious services.
He also pointed out that more believers are coming to the Upper Lavra with each passing Sunday. These are mostly young and active individuals, indicating a resurgence. As Metropolitan Epifaniy said, "Our Church is open to all," even for representatives of the Moscow Patriarchate who are trying to find common ground, although they understand their challenging position. They claim to love Ukraine but remain loyal to their "friends," the aggressor. As long as this situation persists in our country, there will be war, the cleric emphasized.
In April of the current year, Metropolitan Pavlo, the former prior of the Kyiv Pechersk Lavra, faced legal charges filed by Ukraine's Security Service (SBU). Following his release upon posting a 33.3 million UAH bail, he became subject to various legal obligations. These included wearing an electronic monitoring bracelet, remaining within the boundaries of Voronkiv village in the Boryspil district, Kyiv region, providing advance notice to the investigator before departing the village, refraining from communication with witnesses and case victims, and obliging his presence before the investigator, prosecutor, or investigative judge whenever summoned.
The SBU completed its investigation and sent an indictment to court accusing Metropolitan Pavlo, who was involved in subversive activities against Ukraine. The investigation found that he had repeatedly denied the existence of Ukraine as a sovereign state publicly. He also referred to the Russian armed aggression against Ukraine as a "civil conflict" that began in 2014.
A linguistic forensic examination initiated by the SBU confirmed the criminal actions of the clergyman.
The head of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine, Epiphany, appointed Archimandrite Avraamiy as the interim abbot of the monastery. Prior to that, he was a member of the Spiritual Council of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra. However, on 29 March 2023, he voluntarily withdrew from the Moscow Church in Ukraine and called on the brethren to remain in the monastery but as part of the OCU.