Zaporozhye, March 27, 2023
Photo: Telegram screenshot
His Eminence Metropolitan Luke of Zaporozhye of the canonical Ukrainian Orthodox Church announced that he is beginning a complete fast today against the persecution of the UOC and the Kiev Caves Lavra and called on the faithful to join him.
The hunger strike will last at least until March 29—the announced date of the state’s eviction of the hundreds of monks of the Lavra, Met. Luke said in an online discussion with his flock yesterday.
Thousands of Orthodox faithful again filled the Lavra territory yesterday, as they have every Sunday since the state announced the eviction.
Met. Luke said yesterday:
As a believer, not even as a bishop, I can’t watch how our Church is being abused, how relics are being turned into exhibits. What to do? Even today, the question was asked—I would like to call everyone at the end: Let’s impose a fast upon ourselves. Not today, but from Monday, on Tuesday and Wednesday, just before the 29th [the date of eviction—OC]…
I declare a hunger strike in support of the Kiev Caves Lavra. For us it’s a fast, but for non-believers, they’ll understand what a hunger strike is.
He also involved his flock to join him at the St. Nicholas Convent in Zaporozhye to pray for the future of the Church.
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