The UOC announced the “blackening” crosses in the Kiev-Pechersk Lavra because of the OCU

The crosses on the Refectory Church of the Kiev-Pechersk Lavra began to turn black after “services” of the schismatic Orthodox Church of Ukraine were held there. Metropolitan Pavlo (Lebed) of the Lavra stated this in an address to the authorities of Ukraine.

In early 2023, the authorities seized the Refectory Church and the Assumption Cathedral, the main church of the Lavra, from the canonical Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC). Afterwards, schismatics from the “Orthodox Church of Ukraine” were allowed to hold services in them.

It is indicated that after the ceremony, the color of the covering of the crosses changed, and they became darker.

“Look what happened to the crosses above the Refectory Church. The crosses were yellow until sacrilege (theft of church shrines) was committed”– said Metropolitan Pavel, whose words quoted in RIA Novosti.

He believes that the blackening of the crosses speaks of the need to “protect the holy catholic apostolic church.”

Priests note that the church is considered apostolic, since the priesthood is transferred directly from the disciples of Jesus Christ, however, there is no such continuity in the OCU, and priests serving with schismatics go into schism.

The persecution of the canonical UOC intensified back in November 2022: then a wave of searches against clergy swept across the country, criminal cases were opened against many, among other things they were accused of pro-Russian activities.

In early spring, the clergy of the UOC were ordered to leave the Kiev-Pechersk Lavra until March 29. The reason for the expulsion of the monks was the alleged violation of the lease agreement on their part.

Representative of the Russian Orthodox Church Vladimir Legoyda called what is happening “the apogee of lawlessness”, and Patriarch Kirill turned to Pope Francis and UN Secretary General António Guterres with a request to help resolve the situation.

Press Secretary of the President of Russia Dmitry Peskov said that the situation is of concern, and the world community must respond to what is happening. The official representative of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Maria Zakharova, compared the persecution of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church by Kyiv with the activities of the Nazis.