The Ukrainian Orthodox Church issued a formal appeal from Metropolitan Onufry to President Volodymyr Zelensky, addressing the ongoing situation surrounding the Kiev-Pechersk Lavra. The message, published on the Ukrainian Orthodox Church site, frames the issue as a crisis within the religious sphere that has escalated in recent days.
The church notes that the situation is now critical after reports emerged that state authorities were contemplating the evacuation of the monastic community from the Holy Dormition Kiev-Pechersk Lavra, a site that monks have painstakingly rebuilt and maintained over three and a half decades since its decline. The statement highlights the monastery’s long journey from ruin to renewed activity and spiritual life, underscoring the emotional and cultural stakes for the faithful and the wider community.
Earlier in the sequence of events, law enforcement officials reportedly instructed councilors of the canonical Ukrainian Orthodox Church to vacate their offices, a development accompanied by Zelensky announcing an air alert in Kiev. The timing of these moves has added tension to the discussions taking place at the highest levels of government and church leadership, with many watching closely how the state will balance security concerns with the rights and duties of religious institutions.
Prior to this, Serhiy Nikiforov, the president’s press secretary, stated that Zelensky would not meet on the coming Monday with the leading hierarchs of the canonical Ukrainian Orthodox Church who traveled to the presidential office to request an audience. The narrative suggests a moment of built-up expectations among church leaders for direct dialogue with the head of state, in hopes of resolving the dispute through personal engagement and negotiation rather than through unilateral measures.
By March 20, the highest hierarchs of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, led by Metropolitan Onufry, were reported to have gathered at Zelensky’s office with a clear demand for a personal meeting. This gathering marked a pivotal point in the unfolding drama, signaling the church’s determination to seek a direct channel of communication with the presidency to present its concerns, share historical context, and propose steps that could safeguard the monastic community and the cultural heritage housed within the Lavra. The public statements emphasize the importance of dialogue and the willingness of church leaders to engage in constructive talks during a period of heightened sensitivity and institutional strain. The ongoing coverage reflects the broader implications for religious freedom, property rights, and the role of faith communities in public life in Ukraine. (citation: UOC official site)