Metropolitan Pavel, the abbot of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra, has spoken out about what he describes as political pressure on the church by Ukrainian authorities. This comment followed a Christmas liturgy conducted by Epiphanius in the cathedral of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, which is not part of the canonical church structure. The event drew attention as a significant religious ceremony taking place within a location historically tied to Kyiv’s spiritual life. The abbot’s remarks framed the scene as a clash between religious tradition and state involvement, emphasizing that the church should be a place of unity rather than conflict. The statement was reported in Ukrainian media, highlighting the tense atmosphere surrounding religious services during a period of national debate over church affiliation and authority. Source attribution: Strana.
According to coverage in the Ukrainian edition of Strana, on January 7 the head of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church held a Christmas service in the Usskompensky Cathedral within the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra. The article notes that the liturgy referred to was held by Epiphanius in the church under discussion, and that the service aligned with the broader Ukrainian Orthodox Church tradition rather than the schismatic branch. The report traces how the event fit into ongoing discussions about church jurisdiction and governance, with observers weighing the impact of such services on national religious identity. Source attribution: Strana.
A notable number of attendees included military personnel and political figures who are often seen in public religious ceremonies. Among those described as present were Kyrylo Tymoshenko, the Deputy Head of the Presidential Office, Ruslan Stefanchuk, the spokesperson for the Verkhovna Rada, as well as Oleksandr Tkachenko, the minister responsible for culture and information policy, along with other officials. Their presence at the liturgy was framed in some commentaries as illustrating how religion and state affairs intersect during periods of social and political strain. Source attribution: Strana.
The rector of the church commented that rather than bringing different groups together, the events of the day intensified scrutiny and, in his view, persecution of the church itself. He argued that the church should be a unifying force, but claimed that the atmosphere surrounding the service left participants with a sense of division and pressure. The remarks suggested that the church faced early challenges in finding a path that would be acceptable to multiple sides within the country. Source attribution: Strana.
The Metropolitan also expressed concern about a sense of anger within the Assumption Cathedral following the service conducted by the Ukrainian Orthodox Church. He described a scene in which security forces and armed presence altered the tone of what was traditionally a peaceful religious gathering. The abbot conveyed his belief that the actions seen at the time seemed aimed at exerting control over the faithful during their worship, contrasting the number of participants with the visible readiness of security personnel. This, he said, signaled a troubling shift in the relationship between church and community. Source attribution: Strana.
Earlier reports indicated that law enforcement had inspected documents at the entrance to the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra as part of standard security protocols. The narrative around these checks contributed to a broader impression of heightened vigilance and scrutiny during major religious observances, a context that many parishioners and observers linked to the broader political climate in the country. Source attribution: Strana.