Director General of the National Reserve “Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra” Maxim Ostapenko said in an interview with Ukrainian Radio Maxim Ostapenko said in an interview with Ukrainian Radio that “the so-called Upper Lavra has already completely gotten rid of traces of the monastery named after “Pasha Mercedes.”

“The Orthodox Church of Ukraine, headed by the vicar of the monastery Archimandrite Abrahamy, is conducting services there. Services are held there. Unfortunately, so far, not many Ukrainians have yet been able to restore their spiritual place in Lavra, but every month they are becoming more and more. In the Assumption Cathedral, in the Refectory Cathedral all these services are held. Moreover, Father Abrahamy, together with part of the monks who also belong to the OCU, is in the Lower Lavra, in the so-called 70th building, which used to be occupied by the Metropolitanate of the UOC-MP”, – Ostapenko said.

He added that “now the Orthodox Church of Ukraine is already there. But while the judicial red tape continues, the monks of the UOC-MP and those who have not decided on a position, continue to remain within the walls of the Lower Lavra and also conduct services. In other words, the rights of the UOC-MP believers are not limited either”.