Superior of Kiev Pechersk Lavra asks for protection against radicals

Superior of Kiev Pechersk Lavra Metropolitan Pavel of Vyshgorod and Chernobyl asks Ukrainian authorities to protect the the ancient relics from possible attacks of radicals, TASS informs. He addressed Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko and the Head of Ukrainian Government Vladimir Groysman.

The priest is concerned that the provocation may occur on 14 – 17th of October when Orthodox Church would celebrate the Protection of the Holy Mother of God. At this, the Metropolitan Pavel hopes that nobody would harm the church and this would not happen.

He has reminded that the church does not have anything to do with the politics. According to him, representatives of different political forces are constantly warning him of possible attacks.

Several hundreds of people came to the Lavra last year on October 14. The Day of Protector of Ukraine and Day of Ukrainian Cossacks are celebrated at that day in Ukraine.

Local nationalists have already told that they are going to time marches of the heroes’ glory with these dates. Members of the Right Sector banned in Russia, National troops and Freedom Nationalist party will march along Kiev’s streets.

Kiev Pechersk Lavra has been attacked by the radicals before. Around two hundred people dressed in camouflage under the pretence of the excursion entered the territory of Lavra. One of them put on the priest’s clothing and started the sermon in St. Dormition Church. According to the church representatives, the priest of Lavra was physically blocked and deprived of the opportunity to stop the blasphemy.

Russkiy Mir