Ukraine wants to dislodge Orthodox clerics, reputed to be close to Moscow
The Ukrainian government wants to reduce the influence of the Orthodox clerics of the Kiev Caves Lavra, subject to the Moscow Patriarchate. © GLEB GARANIC - Reuters
Text by: RFI Follow
1 min
The monks occupying the Kiev Caves Lavra, a famous monastery classified as a World Heritage Site, had until Wednesday, March 29 to leave the premises. The Ukrainian government wants to reduce the influence of these Orthodox clerics subject to the Moscow Patriarchate. The monks do not intend to leave.
Advertising
Read more
From our correspondent in Kiev, Pierre Alonso
The head of the monastery, Metropolitan Pavlo, addressed his faithful directly after a morning of prayers: "We will stay here," he said.
In front of him, three or four hundred faithful came especially to defend their Church, this Orthodox branch still attached to the Moscow Patriarchate.
Among them was Nadia, a thirty-year-old mother, who believes that this is really not the time for a conflict to break out between the government and her church. So, she says, we must fight the enemy, namely Russia.
Risk of discord
Officially, this branch of the Orthodox Church has broken with Moscow, but the government and part of society suspect it of maintaining ties.
The government wants to reduce its influence, while avoiding divisiveness. Because the strength of the country for a year lies in its great unity in the face of Russian aggression.
Kiev is therefore looking for the right balance: a senior state official has just assured that no one will be dragged by the feet out of the monastery.
►Also listen: Religious urged to leave monastery in Kiev: "With war positions are becoming radicalized"
Newsletter Receive all the international news directly in your mailbox
I subscribe
Follow all the international news by downloading the RFI application
Read on on the same topics:
- Ukraine
- Russia
- Religion