On July 14, 2023, Metropolitan Pavel, the vicar of Lavra, was arrested right in the courtroom. The bishop commented on this event, reports First Kazatsky.

When asked by journalists whether he would appeal the court’s decision, the bishop said that he did not agree with the decision.

“The judge showed that she is under pressure from people who are interested in this. But I accept it as the will of God. That such an amount of 33 million, well, only prosecutor Zatovsky can pay for me, because I do not have such money,” said Metropolitan Pavel.

The bishop added that he was being tried “for Christ, for the Church, for the faith”. He noted that it was up to the lawyers to take it from here.