In Lavra, a police officer pushes a monk who was being delivered food

A policeman attacking Archimandrite Varnava in building 58 of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra. Photo: a video screenshot of the Telegram channel "Lavra Now"

On 8 December 2023, one of the police officers used force against Archimandrite Varnava of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra to prevent him from taking a bag with food that was brought for the UOC believers living in building 58 of the monastery. The footage of the policeman pouncing on Fr Varnava was published by the Telegram channel “Lavra Now”.

The video shows how the law enforcers do not allow the man to enter the building to hand over food while hiding their faces and turning away from the cameras.

Later, Fr. Varnava descended to them and tried to take the food. However, one of the police officers rudely pushed the monk back into the building and knocked the phone out of his hand.

"Either go out or come in," the policeman repeated irritably several times, taking the bag of food from the clergyman.

One of the residents of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra said that the name of the policeman who attacked Fr. Varnava is Valentin, the chief police officer who is on duty at the Lavra.

As reported, the police in the Lavra are prohibiting food and water from being given to people in the sealed building.

Read also

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.

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.