The Head of the OCU is unwilling to share the Pochayiv Lavra with other Churches
He stated this in an interview with Suspilne.
"This is a gradual and long process, similar to the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra. We want this process to take place calmly and peacefully. That is, without any confrontations. Therefore, we need time. Over two years, more than two thousand religious communities have joined us. This gradualness also applies to the Pochayiv Lavra. I am convinced that we will serve in the Pochayiv Lavra, it is only a matter of time because this process is irreversible, and ultimately it will lead to the fact that all Orthodox Christians in Ukraine will belong to the already recognized autocephalous local Orthodox Church," said the head of the OCU.
According to him, this process is somewhat hampered by the fact that the Russian Church skillfully disguises itself, pretending to be Ukrainian.
"So far, there are those who do not fully understand, they are misled, and they believe that this is the Ukrainian Church, but the time will come when they will understand and realize this gradually because for a long time, we have been going to this. For more than three decades, the ideology of the "Russian world" has been preached, and unfortunately, it has taken root quite deeply in the minds of many Ukrainians who are still hesitant, but I am convinced that over time they will understand and join," Metropolitan Epifaniy emphasized.
When asked whether he would allow Greek Catholics to serve in the Pochayiv Lavra if it were ever granted to him, the Primate answered in the negative.
"We have not yet discussed this issue, but the Pochayiv Lavra is an Orthodox shrine, and there should be one owner. There cannot be several owners," he said.
However, after thinking a bit, the Primate of the OCU showed a certain degree of mercy and generosity towards the faithful of the UGCC.
"But we do not forbid it, if the Pochayiv Lavra belongs to the OCU, we will allow both pilgrims and believers to come and pray, and there will not be the situation that exists now. You know that it is forbidden for us and Greek Catholics to pray there, visit the shrine, and so on. Therefore, we claim the Pochayiv Lavra, we have already created a legal entity, and we will do everything to ensure that this great shrine of the Ukrainian people is in the Ukrainian Church, and all Ukrainians will offer their prayers there together," Metropolitan Epifaniy emphasized.
