Metropolitan Pavel: The Monks of the Lavra Are Now Bloodless Confessors
According to the abbot of the Kyiv Pechersk Lavra, the monks bear witness to Christ through their patience and sufferings, and lead people to God.
The abbot of the Kyiv Pechersk Lavra, Metropolitan of Vyshhorod and Chornobyl Pavel, described the current trials of the monastery's brotherhood as a feat of confessorship and called on the monks to remain faithful to Christ. The hierarch made these remarks in an interview on the eve of the feast of the Dormition of the Most Holy Theotokos.
The abbot of the Lavra noted that the current trials reveal what monastic endeavor truly is, and urged the residents to bear hardships with patience. "You are the light of the world and the salt of the earth," said Metropolitan Pavel.
According to him, despite the difficult circumstances, the brotherhood must continue its ministry at the Lavra. "Dear brethren, I address you today with a request: there is no need to leave the holy Lavra," the abbot emphasized.
The hierarch drew particular attention to the fact that through the sufferings of the monks, people may come to faith. "You see, the sufferings of one person — and there are 200 of us in the Lavra suffering for Christ — thereby lead people to God," he noted.
Metropolitan Pavel recounted that after an electronic bracelet was placed on him, he received thousands of messages from people asking him not to waver in his faith. "Your Grace, do not waver in your faith," the faithful conveyed to him.
"We are now bloodless confessors, martyrs for the faith of Christ," declared the abbot of the Kyiv Pechersk Lavra. He called on the brotherhood to continue enduring trials "for the sake of Christ" and to pray for one another.
Speaking of the spiritual meaning of what is happening, Metropolitan Pavel emphasized that the destruction of external churches cannot destroy the inner temple of a person. "They destroy churches built of stone, but no one can destroy the temple of the soul," he said.
In conclusion, the hierarch called on the monks to remain faithful to their vocation and expressed hope that the Lord, who sees the trials of every person, will bring His children to Himself.
As the UOJ reported, church media of Local Churches are reporting on the murder at the Holy Dormition Sviatohirsk Lavra.
