Moscow Patriarchate monks who described Europe as "godless" move to EU

Several monks from the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra (Monastery of the Caves) in Kyiv have moved to EU member states following the termination of the agreement that allowed the Moscow Patriarchate to use premises there.

Source: Father Avraamii, acting abbot of the Kyiv-Pechersk Monastery from the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, in an interview for Orthodox Ukraine

Quote: "Some of the monks moved to their own homes, others went to other monasteries. They all realise that they cannot serve in the Lavra under the jurisdiction of the Moscow Patriarchate. Others have moved abroad: one to France, another to Brazil, someone else to Germany. And my question is: why not Russia? Why go to Europe, which you hated and called godless?"

Details: Avraamii stated that around 60 elderly monks who have not yet made up their minds remain in the Lavra. Some of them want to join the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, while others are admirers of the "Russian world". There are also some who are hostages of the situation and will have nowhere to go once they leave the Lavra.

"Where will they go? We won’t kick them out. We will lodge them in a separate building, give them food and provide someone to look after them. But they will not serve in the churches of the Lavra," he added.

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