MP: Authorities want to put an end to the Lavra issue soon

MP of Ukraine Artem Dmytruk. Photo: spzh.news

Artem Dmytruk, a Member of Parliament of Ukraine, stated that the authorities want to put an end to the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra issue and "deprive millions of Ukrainians of the shrine where their ancestors prayed for centuries" in the near future. He wrote about this in his Telegram channel, commenting on the handing over of suspicion to the Lavra Archdeacon Pavlo (Muzychuk).

The MP noted that the monk was not involved in filming videos, did not provoke scandals, and tried to tell only what he saw.

"It is interesting how could the Lavra monk engage in 'subversive activities' in favor of the aggressor state by publishing videos about what was happening near the Lavra? ... A huge number of those who appeared in the frame with Father Pavlo – from the 'mage' Belial who blasphemed church ceremonies to real provocateurs who insulted the faithful of the UOC – did not bear any responsibility or even the slightest punishment for their actions," he wrote.

At the same time, Dmytruk expressed bewilderment as to why the SBU qualified the monk as guilty of "subversive activities," rather than those "who engage in seizures of UOC temples, who constantly discredit the Ukrainian army by wearing military uniforms, who deliberately do everything to divide Ukrainians."

"Do these people not engage in 'subversive activities', and are they not the main culprits of the fact that materials with blasphemy, beating of UOC believers, and cutting locks off UOC temples are featured in the media of the aggressor state?" he added.

The MP is also convinced that the materials provided by the SBU, including correspondence and other materials, do not prove that the monk "justified Russian aggression".

"It is reported that the monk 'justified Russian aggression' in personal correspondence. Of course, the evidence of the SBU was not shown. But there is 'evidence' of correspondence with Shariy, in which black on white you can read a dialogue about the attitude towards the events around the Lavra. At the same time, there are no 'tasks set' or confirmations that the monk was coordinated to record 'provocative videos' in the correspondence provided by the SBU," wrote Dmytruk.

As the UOJ reported, the SBU announced suspicion to the Lavra monk.

Read also

Petition Warns Canada’s Hate Speech Law Could Criminalize Scripture

Thousands of Canadians have signed a petition urging the Liberal government to drop proposed hate-speech changes that critics warn could criminalize quoting the Bible and other religious texts.

JD Vance: Criticizing Israel Is Not Antisemitism

Vice President JD Vance said opposing Israeli policies is not the same as antisemitism, sparking debate over where criticism of Israel ends and hatred of Jews begins.

First Orthodox Prayer Book Published in Indonesian Language

The first Orthodox prayer book in Indonesian has been published and presented in Bekasi, providing local faithful and new converts with a vital resource for prayer and liturgical life.

OCA Joins Legal Challenge to Illinois Abortion Referral Law

Amicus brief argues mandate violates religious freedom and compels pro-life providers to contradict their faith.

EXCLUSIVE: Leaked Ukrainian Memo Says Religious Freedom is ‘Achilles Heel’

In an emergency strategy meeting held in response to the Society of St. John's Day of Action, D.C.-based Ukrainian lobbyists acknowledged the weight of the religious freedom issue as it pertains to the Ukrainian government’s public perception.

Historic $2.9 Million Bequest Strengthens Greek Orthodox Foundation

The Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Chicago Foundation has received a record $2.9 million bequest from the late Andy Efthim, a devoted layman whose faith-filled generosity will support the Church’s mission for generations.