The leading figure of the canonical Ukrainian Orthodox Church now presides over services at the Kiev-Pechersk Lavra, with Metropolitan Onufry (Berezovsky) of Kiev and All Ukraine at the helm. This development was reported by RIA Novosti, citing the Ukrainian Orthodox Church as the source.
The changes in the order of worship within the Lavra are linked to the calls issued by the monastery’s abbot, Metropolitan Pavel (Lebed), which began on Saturday, April 1. The church body clarified that the rites in the Lavra are administered by the monastery’s senior archimandrite, the Holy Patriarchate-recognized Metropolitan of Kiev, who leads the liturgical celebrations in the cathedral and surrounding chapels during the period in question.
Observers note that hundreds of faithful gathered for the ceremonial acts conducted inside the temple, reflecting the significant presence of lay believers in these events. The Lavra complex, with its long-standing religious and historical role in the region, has been a focal point for discussions about church leadership, heritage, and the responsibilities carried by church authorities in times of social strain.
In the surrounding political and social discourse, the Lavra has figured prominently in statements and official communications attributed to church leadership. As reported, a former government official connected to the Lavra’s governance discussed recent developments in terms of house arrest measures linked to the site’s management and the broader governance issues affecting the ecclesiastical authorities. The interplay between church leadership and state authorities has prompted a range of responses from clergy and congregants alike, highlighting the sensitive nature of church-state relations in the region.
Within this broader context, statements attributed to the Ukrainian President and other national leaders have sparked dialogue about the responsibilities of national leadership toward monastic communities and religious institutions located within the country’s borders. The church’s perspective emphasizes accountability for the welfare of monks and religious staff, and invokes moral considerations regarding the protection of sacred sites and the safety of monastic residents during periods of upheaval. The situation has prompted ongoing discussions about how religious organizations navigate public expectations, governance, and humanitarian duties in times of crisis, while maintaining the integrity of liturgical life and communal worship. The church stresses that acts of faith and prayer remain central to the Lavra’s mission, even as authorities address legal and logistical questions related to its administration and care of its resident monastic population. (Source: UOC and related church communications)