Patriarch Kirill appealed to religious figures and representatives of international organizations in connection with the situation around the Kiev-Pechersk Lavra. It is reported by Patriarchia.ru.

He noted that “new generations of monks again revived the monastery and applied colossal labors and large funds — with minimal state assistance, or even lack of it — to the restoration of the monastery, the restoration of the Assumption and Refectory churches that have now been taken away, but most importantly, to recreate the former spiritual traditions and full-fledged monastic life.

Patriarch Kirill emphasized that “the Lavra remains one of the largest Orthodox monasteries in the world, uniting more than two hundred monks and novices. On its territory is also located the center of administration of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, hundreds of future clergymen live – students of the Kyiv Theological Academy and Seminary.

The Primate of the Russian Orthodox Church appealed to religious figures and representatives of international organizations with a call “to make every possible effort to prevent the forced closure of the monastery, which will lead to the violation of the rights of millions of Ukrainian believers to freedom of religion, guaranteed by the Constitution of Ukraine, as well as such documents as the UN Charter, the Universal Declaration human rights, the Declaration on the Elimination of All Forms of Intolerance and Discrimination Based on Religion or Belief, and many other acts of international significance.”