Lawyer: Aggressive group holds illegal rally at Lavra for a fortnight
Participants of an illegal action on the territory of Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra. Photo: a screenshot of UOJ video
Contrary to the law "On the legal regime of martial law", which prohibits mass gatherings and actions during wartime, a group of aggressive people has been holding a rally on the territory of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra for a fortnight, said Lavra's lawyer, Archpriest Nikita Chekman.
"A group of aggressively-minded persons has been trying to interfere in the last two weeks to hold services, accompanying their actions with loud slogans, songs and dances on the territory of the shrine," the lawyer said. “We believe that there is a rally, the purpose of which is blatant aggression towards the clergy and believers of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church. We note that in connection with the introduction of martial law in Ukraine, peaceful assemblies, rallies, marches, demonstrations and other public events are prohibited.”
The archpriest has published the response of the Kyiv City Military Administration to his lawyer's enquiries regarding the established restrictions on holding mass rallies and whether the city authorities were warned about the rally at the Lavra by its organizers. The response said that neither the KCMA nor the Kyiv City Council "received any appeals or reports about holding rallies or any other events on the territory of the Kyiv-Pechersk Holy Dormition Lavra. Accordingly, the lawyer stressed, the authorities did not give any permission for mass actions at the monastery.
As reported, radicals are calling on their supporters to "cleanse the Lavra of the Russian world" on Good Thursday.
Read also
Pat. Bartholomew: It Is a ‘Grave Sin’ To Put Politics Before Church Unity
"Those who jeopardize this unity in the name of geopolitical expediencies and base motives for acquiring earthly power—falsely cloaked in spirituality—commit an offense before God and a grave sin," the Ecumenical Patriarch said.
OCA Chancellor Visits Romania and Czech Lands and Slovakia
Archpriest Alessandro Margheritino represents Met. Tikhon at major church events and meetings with hierarchs of sister Churches.
Procession Held in Honor of St. Gabriel of Georgia
On Nov. 1, clergy, Mother Paraskeva, and Russian, Ukrainian, and Georgian faithful took part in a procession from the house of St. Gabriel the Confessor and Fool-for-Christ to the Samtavro Monastery.
Hierarchs of UOC Appeal to Zelenskyy in Defense of Met. Arseny
The episcopate of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church called on Zelenskyy to stop the persecution of Met. Arseny and to ensure he receives medical treatment.
Moscow Synod Declares Day of Prayer Against Abortion
The Synod also revived the annual All-Moscow Cross Procession as a symbol of faith and unity.
Abp. John of Albania Meets with Pope Leo
Leaders discuss global peace, youth, and Christian cooperation at interfaith event.