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Kiev-Pechersk Lavra’s abbot placed under house arrest, says Metropolitan Pavel

Ukraine’s Security Service earlier announced that Metropolitan Pavel was suspected of inciting discord and working for Russia

Kiev-Pechersk Lavra’s abbot Metropolitan Pavel EPA-EFE/STEPAN FRANKO

Kiev-Pechersk Lavra’s abbot Metropolitan Pavel

© EPA-EFE/STEPAN FRANKO

MOSCOW, April 1. /TASS/. Metropolitan Pavel, the abbot of the Kiev-Pechersk Lavra monastery in the Ukrainian capital, told reporters that he has been placed under house arrest.

"I have been sent under house arrest," he said in a video released by the Vesti media outlet.

The information has not been confirmed officially yet.

Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU) earlier announced that Metropolitan Pavel was suspected of inciting discord and working for Russia. SBU officers searched his residence.

On March 10, the directorate of the Kiev-Pechersk Lavra reserve terminated the open-ended lease with the Holy Dormition Kiev-Pechersk Lavra of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church and ordered its monks to leave the monastery. Metropolitan Pavel slammed these actions as illegal and declared the monks’ refusal to leave.

On Thursday, the Ukrainian Ministry of Culture’s commission arrived at the Lavra for a property inventory but the monks and parishioners did not allow it to enter the monastery. Both parties went to court. However, the hearing of the case of the wrongful termination of the lease is scheduled for April 26, while the Ministry of Culture demands that the monks immediately leave the monastery.

The Kiev-Pechersk Lavra, founded in the 11th century, is one of Russia's first monasteries and the oldest monastery in modern-day Ukraine.

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