A sauna and VIP areas were discovered in the Kyiv Pechersk Lavra during the reign of Pavel Lebid
A state commission discovered saunas and VIP areas at the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra following the eviction of representatives of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (Moscow Patriarchate).
Representatives of the Moscow Patriarchate are currently actively spreading claims that the Orthodox Church of Ukraine (OCU) is allegedly organizing “shows, concerts, and cooking workshops” at the holy site.
At the same time, they are deliberately ignoring the fact that the entire complex is state-owned, and the actual condition of the property following their management shocked the public.
During an inspection of the historic premises, state experts documented numerous instances of misuse of this UNESCO World Heritage site.
In particular, a private sauna and an extensive spa area were discovered in the former residence of Primate Onufriy.
While ordinary parishioners were being told about strict fasting and monastic modesty, the top leadership had set up an elite retreat for themselves.
In addition, during the time the Moscow Patriarchate was in control, the site was turned into a private club for oligarchs, pro-Russian politicians, and criminals.
The then-governor, Pavlo Lebid, even ordered a portrait of himself to be painted on the walls of the main Assumption Cathedral alongside historical saints.
To make way for the construction of new commercial buildings, representatives of the Patriarchate evicted an infectious disease clinic from the Lavra’s grounds amid a huge scandal.
The former head of the monastery repeatedly found himself embroiled in scandals due to his public statements and aggressive behavior.
During the conflict over the medical facility, Pavlo openly shouted in the faces of journalists and medical staff: “You’ll all be dead by evening!”
Later, he boasted on camera that his curses supposedly had a real effect.
A separate focus of the investigation is the reserve’s long-standing role as a hub for spreading the ideas of the “Russian World.” For years, anti-Ukrainian literature was freely sold on the grounds of this national shrine, and gatherings of pro-Russian forces were held there.
It was at the Lavra in 2014, according to his own admissions, that Russian terrorist Igor Girkin (Strelkov) hid openly with his security detail before traveling to Donbas to start the war.
This was reported by Father Mykhailo Tyshchuk.
The Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra will partially resume operations after emergency repairs
As a reminder, Russia attacked the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra, causing a fire.
Prior to that, Russian drones struck the Zaporizhzhia region, leaving several people injured.
As a result of the Russian attack on Kharkiv, five State Emergency Service rescuers were killed.
