New York, July 12, 2023
Photo: wikimedia.org
His Eminence Metropolitan Nicholas of Eastern America and New York, the First Hierarch of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia, sent a letter of support to His Eminence Metropolitan Pavel of Vyshgorod, the abbot of the persecuted Kiev Caves Lavra, today on the occasion of the latter’s name’s day.
Met. Pavel has been under house arrest since early April. He was given two months, but Kiev courts have repeatedly extended the measure against him, most recently on June 30.
The monastery itself is also facing state persecution, as the authorities are actively trying to seal up the buildings and evict the monks from their home.
On the occasion of the feast of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul today, Met. Nicholas wrote to Met. Pavel:
Your Eminence:
On today’s feast day of the Chiefe Apostles Peter and Paul, please accept my joyful and loving congratulations on your namesday and our most sincere good wishes, which I convey to you from the fullness of the Russian Church Abroad, which is now lifting up its prayers for the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, Her Primate, and for you and the brethren and worshipers.
Among the multitude of saints of the ancient monastery entrusted to you – mourners for the world and for the people, organizers and guardians of piety and ancient traditions – the names of numerous miracle-workers are seen as bright luminaries. May they, intercessors close to the hearts of the brethren and believers, be your special helpers and intermediaries, and may their ascetic life be a guiding light in these difficult times.
May God’s blessing abide over the Dormition Kiev-Pechersk Lavra, over His Beatitude, the holy archimandrites, priests, brethren and children of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church!
Beseeching your holy prayers, I remain with love in the Lord,
NICHOLAS
Metropolitan of Eastern America and New York,
First Hierarch of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia.
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