Archimandrite Avraamiy (Latysh), a member of the Spiritual Cathedral of the Holy Dormition Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra, appealed to Metropolitan Epifaniy of Kyiv and All Ukraine, as the Holy Archimandrite of the monastery, with a request to confirm him among the brothers as part of the monastery with the Orthodox Church of Ukraine.
As the press service of the OCU reports, Metropolitan Epifaniy granted his request and blessed Father Avraamiy to fulfill the duties of vicar of the Holy Dormition Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra as part of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine.
Also, the head of the OCU appealed to the government to provide premises for the use of the Ukrainian Lavra for religious services, residence of the brothers, and monastic activities. Metropolitan Epifaniy expressed hope that the government would help protect the vicar and monastery from possible acts of provocation by supporters of the Moscow Patriarchate.
As the vicar of the Lavra, Father Avraamiy appealed to the brothers not to leave the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra. He admitted that Metropolitan Pavlo (Lebid) of the UOC (MP) created the “sad situation” in which the UOC (MP) found itself now. Instead of finding ways to unify, the UOC (MP) was engaged in inciting enmity, the monk said.
“Honorable fathers and dear brothers of the Lavra! Over the past period, especially in these months and weeks, we have all felt pain and despair because of the events that are happening in our home. They are still trying to convince us that the only reason for these events is the government’s attitude. However, we must honestly admit that our previous vicar and hierarchs in the person of the Metropolitan and the Synod step by step were forming the sad situation in which we found ourselves. Instead of dialogue, there is secrecy and threats. Instead of realizing the need to truthfully, sincerely, and finally break the subordination to Moscow, which is waging war against us there came vague and half-hearted decisions and statements that everyone interprets as they wish. Instead of searching for ways of Orthodox unity and reconciliation, it was about fueling enmity and confrontation.”
Archimandrite Avraamiy says that as a member of the Spiritual Council of the Lavra, he has long felt a special responsibility for the fate of the Lavra. “I spent a lot of time in prayer and reflection. Both my conscience and my duty as part of the Lavra prompt me to stay in the place where I made my vows to God.”
“In what is happening, I see the action of God’s Providence and an incentive for all of us to recognize the new canonical reality of the existence of the Local Orthodox Church in Ukraine, which has been granted the Tomos of autocephaly, which has the recognition of the Ecumenical Patriarch and the Local Churches, which has the canonically elected Primate of the Blessed Metropolitan Epifaniy of Kyiv and All Ukraine, Holy Archimandrite of the Pechersk Lavra. I myself voluntarily accepted this difficult, but in my opinion, the only correct and canonically justified decision. At my request, His Beatitude Metropolitan Epifaniy approved me as one of the Lavra brothers with the Orthodox Church of Ukraine,” said the Archimandrite.
He noted that the Holy Archimandrite of the Lavra, Metropolitan Epifaniy, entrusted him with the duty of Lavra vicar. “I realize that I am not accepting glory, but a crown of thorns and a heavy cross. But for the sake of humility and the salvation of my soul, I came here, and therefore I do not run away from the cross, but with the hope of the mercy of God, the intercession of the Mother of God and the prayers of the Pechersk Fathers, I accept it,” said Archimandrite Avraamiy.
He urged the brothers of the Lavra to “remain in the Lavra as part of the Local Orthodox Church of Ukraine under the omophorion of His Beatitude Metropolitan Epifaniy. I am ready to communicate with you and I wish to work together with you to renew our monastery as a real monastery and a place of spiritual renewal for monks and all the faithful.”
“I ask for your holy prayers! Through the prayers of our Reverend Fathers of Pechersk, Lord Jesus Christ, our God, have mercy on us!” concluded the new vicar of the Lavra.
