Lawyer speaks about the role of SBU in the campaign against Lavra
Lawyer of the Lavra Archpriest Nikita Chekman. Photo: screenshot of Chekman's telegram channel
On July 20, 2023, the lawyer of the Lavra and Metropolitan Pavel, Archpriest Nikita Chekman commented on the situation surrounding the court hearing in the case of the “eviction of the monks” on his Telegram channel. He also stated that the security forces are exerting pressure on Metropolitan Pavel, the abbot of the monastery.
According to the lawyer, the investigator handling Metropolitan Pavel's case scheduled his interrogation for the same day and time as the scheduled session of the Commercial Court, where the Reserve's lawsuit against the monastery regarding the "eviction of monks" was supposed to be heard.
The lawyer said that the meeting was postponed because the investigator ordered the Metropolitan to be "delivered" for interrogation, during which Fr. Nikita had to be present there as the hierarch's attorney. However, Father Nikita did not manage to reach his client as the hierarch was taken away for interrogation, during which he refused to give testimony without his lawyer present.
“Look at what is happening in general,” explains the lawyer. “The reserve wants to evict the monks. They are holding Metropolitan Pavel, who is the head of the monastery and the only person authorized to sign, in custody. On that very day when the case of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra brethren's eviction is being considered, they exert psychological pressure on him, an elderly person with health problems.”
He mentioned that at all court hearings related to the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra case, members of the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) are always present in the courtroom, documenting everything.
In the lawyer's opinion, they are there to exert psychological pressure on the judge, so that she doesn't make lawful decisions.
"They don't need lawful decisions; they need the decisions they want to carry out their criminal assignments," the lawyer concluded.
Earlier, the UOJ wrote that the trial "for the eviction of the monks" of the Lavra was postponed to August.
Read also
2025 St. Herman Youth Conference to Be Held in NY This December
Annual gathering to bring together Orthodox youth from across North America for fellowship, worship, and spiritual growth.
HCHC Community Holds All-Night Vigil Honoring Philoptochos Society and Its Patron Saints
Special prayers offered for members of the National Board and all Philoptochos chapters in gratitude for their decades of support.
Georgian Church Resumes Construction After Miracle
The foundation of a church was blessed at Georgia's Oncology Center — construction resumes on the Church of Ss. Panteleimon the Healer and John the Baptist.
BREAKING: Met. Arseny Hospitalized After Falling Ill During Court Hearing
Faithful urged to pray as proceedings in Sviatohirsk hierarch’s case continue daily.
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.