POWs families demand to exchange Metropolitan Pavel for their relatives
Metropolitan Pavel, vicar of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra. Photo: UOJ
The public organization of relatives of prisoners of war, 'Olenivka Community', urges President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky and other government representatives to swap their relatives for "enemy agents". They have included the acting head of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra, Metropolitan Pavel (Lebed), in the list of candidates for exchange. The organization published the appeal on its Instagram.
In addition to Metropolitan Pavel, the wives and mothers of those who survived after the bombing of the prison in Olenivka propose to include Nestor Shufrych, Vyacheslav Bohuslaev, and "other collaborators, traitors, including Moscow priests", in the exchange list.
Recall that on the night of July 29, 2022, an explosion occurred in a barrack of the correctional colony in Olenivka, where Ukrainian defenders of Azovstal were located, resulting in the death of about 50 prisoners of war. According to the Prosecutor General's Office, this explosion was caused by the use of a reactive thermobaric grenade launcher.
The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) has transferred the case of the abbot of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra, Metropolitan Pavel of the UOC, on charges of justifying the aggression of the Russian Federation and discriminating against citizens, to court. He faces up to 8 years in prison with confiscation of property. Currently, the metropolitan is under house arrest.
As reported by the UOJ, on April 30, 2024, a judge of the Pechersk District Court changed the preventive measure and ordered the removal of the electronic bracelet from the acting head of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra.
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.