Metropolitan Pavel Lebed denied the Kiev authorities’ claim that he supported the Russian army
Ukrainian investigators are searching the home of the leader of the Orthodox Church in Kiev, who is accused of justifying Russia’s armed aggression against Ukraine.
Metropolitan Pavel Lebed runs the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra, the most important monastery in Ukraine. Its branch of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC) was loyal to the Moscow clergy.
Prosecutors in Kiev say he is accused of inciting national and religious hatred.
Kiev was trying to evict him and his followers from the monastery.
Metropolitan Pavel denied the allegations and said that the Kiev authorities had no legal grounds to expel the monks and staff from the monastery.
During his court appearance on Saturday, he called it a “political issue” and said “I’ve never been on the side of aggression” – though he didn’t mention Russia.
“I am against aggression. Now I am in Ukraine – this is my land,” he said. He described his current situation as “house arrest”.
Hundreds of worshipers gathered on Friday at the Kiev-Pechersk Lavra – famous for its historic caves – to support the monks there, in protest against the eviction order.
A statement from the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU), on messaging service Telegram, said Metropolitan Pavel was suspected of “violating the equality of citizens” on the basis of their ethnic, national and religious ties.
It says he “repeatedly insulted the religious feelings of Ukrainians” and “insulted” other religious groups and “tried to create hostile attitudes towards them”.
“He also made statements justifying or denying the actions of the aggressor state,” says the SBU.
A photo from the SBU shows its officers reading an accusatory letter to Metropolitan Pavel in the monastery
The SBU posted recordings on YouTube purporting to be telephone interceptions of Metropolitan Pavel.
In one, a male voice believed to be his own describes Russia’s invasion of Ukraine as “a war between the Russian Federation and America until the last Ukrainian is killed”, claiming that Russia’s aggression was provoked by Ukraine.
Speaking of Russia’s occupation of Kherson last year – before Ukrainian forces retook the city – he said, “There are already Russian flags everywhere and people are happy.”
Commenting on the action taken on Saturday against the abbot, SBU chief Vasyl Malyuk said, “Today the enemy is trying to use the church environment to promote its own propaganda and divide Ukrainian society.”
“But we won’t give him a single chance!” confirmed.
image source, Getty Images
Worshipers in support of the Orthodox monks swarmed the site of the Lavra on Friday
Last year, the Lavra and other UOC premises were raided by the SBU, and dozens of clergymen were arrested on charges of treason and collaboration with Russia. However, the University of British Columbia says, there is no evidence to support these accusations.
In recent years, many worshipers have joined the Autonomous Orthodox Church in Ukraine, while millions still follow the Autonomous Orthodox Church, which split from Moscow last May after centuries under its control.
The Russian Orthodox Church has allied itself with President Vladimir Putin, echoing the Kremlin’s rhetoric in defense of the invasion of Ukraine.
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