UOC Chancellor: Over half of the brethren at Kyiv Lavra are in good health

Metropolitan Anthony (Pakanich) of Boryspil and Brovary. Photo: screenshot of the video on "112 Ukraine" channel

On May 12, 2020, the UOC Chancellor, Metropolitan Anthony (Pakanich) of Boryspil and Brovary, spoke about the situation at the Holy Dormition Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra noting that more than half of the monastery’s brethren are in good health now. A video of the broadcast, during which Metropolitan Anthony, who is located in the territory of the Kyiv Lavra, contacted reporters of the 112 Ukraine channel via Skype, was posted by the hierarch on his YouTube channel.

“While the Lavra is in quarantine, everything is safe and calm inside the Lavra. The monks are gradually recovering. At the moment, more than half of the brethren are in good health,” said Metropolitan Anthony.

He noted that the media provide information about infections with a delay of 10-12 days. For example, information appears on the Web about the infected monks, but in the coming days no one tests any one for the COVID-19 infection in the monastery.

Currently, most of the brethren are healthy; they attend divine services and fulfill their duties.

According to Metropolitan Anthony, temporary lockdown enabled the monks to feel and understand a little what the life in seclusion is like.

“We were more attentive to our inner spiritual life, to prayer for the brethren, for Ukraine, for everyone who lives in this world,” the UOC hierarch shared with reporters.

Earlier, Metropolitan Anthony drew the attention of the public to the fact that many are ill with COVID, but the media prefer to notice only the UOC.

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