Soldier about Lavra: While I defend Ukraine, they want to take my home

AFU soldier. Photo: video screenshot

UOC lawyer, Archpriest Nikita Chekman, shared a video message from a Ukrainian Armed Forces serviceman on his Telegram channel. In the video, the soldier addresses the judges handling the case of the monks' eviction from the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra, asking to join the court proceedings.

In his message, he stated: "I, a soldier of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, who has been defending Ukraine since 2014, am simply being evicted from the Holy Dormition Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra, where I am a novice. The state I am defending wants to take away my home." He emphasized that most of the monks in the monastery are elderly, have been in the monastery since their youth, and have nowhere else to go.

He also posed a question to the judges: "What am I fighting for? I have injuries, I have state awards… My comrades and I are faithful to the UOC, which the Verkhovna Rada has 'banned.' I am simply at a loss for words."

In his appeal, he requested a postponement of the court hearing and added: "I sincerely ask to be included in the process as a third party. I have something to say. I have something to explain. There are no separatists in our Lavra, there are no pro-Russian agents or people affiliated with the Russian Orthodox Church."

As previously reported by the UOJ, on October 3, the Northern Commercial Court is hearing the case regarding the eviction of the monks from the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra. The monastery's brethren is asking for prayers.

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