Kiev, April 2, 2023
Photo: spzh.news
The Orthodox faithful continue to defend their beloved Kiev Caves Lavra against the state’s designs to evict the Church and against the provocations of radical nationalists and schismatics.
The authorities gave the monastic brotherhood until March 29 to leave their home, which has been state-owned since Soviet times. March 29 itself passed quietly, but the next day, the state commission tasked with inspecting the monastery’s “museum exhibits” and preparing for the total transfer of all property back to the usage of the state arrived at the Lavra, and the people’s prayerful standoff began.
Over the past few days, thousands of people have flocked to the Lavra to pray for the future of their Church and to protect the holy site. At the same time, armed police, journalists, and provocateurs are also flocking to the monastery.
The whole world has now seen how men, women, and children, pray with tears on bended knee while others mock them, attempt to drown them out with nationalistic slogans, and worse.
On Friday, March 31, one man showed up with a hoodie reading: “Do You Have a Moment To Talk About Our Lord & Savior Satan.”
Photo: news.church.ua
“In these photos, you can clearly see who their god is—satan. Satanic symbols on clothing, satanic signs. Everything you need to know about who is really at war with Orthodox Christians in Ukraine today,” commented the UOC’s Information-Education Department.
The radicals tried to provoke confrontations with the faithful, but they continued praying and preventing the ill-intentioned people from entering the Lavra.
One of the provocateur’s complained that nothing was working for them: “We’re talking to them, and they sing in response about some … Jesus.”
The faithful also began to prepare lunches for everyone on the scene, including the police and the nationalist enemies of the Church. However, this didn’t stop the radicals from wishing death upon their fellow Ukrainians for being loyal to the Church.
In one incident, the radicals shouted: “Get out, Moscow priests,” to which the UOC faithful responded by unfurling a Ukrainian flag, which shocked the radicals who have ignored all the statements coming from the UOC.
Photo: spzh.news
On Saturday, OCU supporters held a pagan prayer ritual at the Lavra.
On Sunday, one man began shouting: “Long live satan!” to which the Orthodox replied: “Christ is Risen!” He later spoke to the media about how they had to beat and forcefully remove all the monks and Church representatives from the Lavra.
Video of one little girl boldly proclaiming “Christ is Risen!” has made the rounds on social media:
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