Search of head of world-famous Orthodox monastery in Kiev: “Suspicious of working for Russia” | War Ukraine and Russia

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Ukrainian police have searched the home of the head of the world-famous Cave Monastery in Kiev. Tensions have been rising between the Ukrainian government and the historically important monastery for some time. Kiev states that the monastery still has ties with Moscow.

Kiev Cave Monastery was founded in 1051 and is considered a leading center of Eastern Orthodox Christianity in Eastern Europe. The complex is also on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Metropolitan Pevel surrounded by members of the Ukrainian security services in Kiev. ©AFP

“In two words, they told me that I am suspected of working for Russia,” said Metropolitan Pavel in a video message distributed through the Russian government-controlled news agency ‘Ria Novosti’. He also said he was called for questioning on charges of religious “agitation” and insulting the Ukrainian president. Metropolitan Pavel denies the allegations.

LOOK. Tensions have been rising between the Ukrainian government and the historically important monastery for some time

months of fuss

There has been a lot of fuss about the monastery for months. The Ukrainian government suspects the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, which runs the monastery, of espionage and sedition for Moscow.

Image of the house search at the head of the monastery.

Image of the house search at the head of the monastery. ©AFP

“Broken with Russian Orthodox Church”

Before the Russian invasion of Ukraine, this church community clearly identified itself with the Moscow patriarchate. Since the fighting broke out, the Ukrainian Orthodox Church says it has broken with the Russian church, whose head is in favor of the war in Ukraine. But Kiev thinks that the church is still dependent on Moscow and thus suspects them of a lasting cooperation.

Expulsion

In the meantime, the government has terminated the agreement with the church on the free use of the monastery. Kiev immediately said that it would not expel the monks by force. They should have left the monastery on March 29 at the latest, but did not. The government has therefore gone to court to obtain an eviction order.

Believers of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church accused of maintaining ties with Moscow clash with pro-Ukrainian activists outside the historic monastery in Kiev. Image from yesterday.

Believers of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church accused of maintaining ties with Moscow clash with pro-Ukrainian activists outside the historic monastery in Kiev. Image from yesterday. ©AFP

Already in 2018, tensions between the two countries led to the establishment of another church community, the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, independent of the Moscow Patriarchate.

By the end of 2022, Ukrainian authorities have already conducted several searches of Orthodox Church religious buildings and even sanctioned clerics for their views deemed pro-Russian. The Cave Monastery itself, with 22 hectares the largest museum complex in the country in the heart of the Ukrainian capital, was also searched.

Kiev Cave Monastery.

Kiev Cave Monastery. © ANP/EPA

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Believers of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church. Image from yesterday.

Believers of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church. Image from yesterday. ©AFP

"Get rid of the Russians in the church"said these counter-demonstrators yesterday.

“Down with the Russians in the church,” said these counter-demonstrators yesterday. ©AFP

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