Lavra denies reports of a monk joining the OCU

In 2015, Igumen Nikodim (Pryshchepa) was banned from priesthood. Photo: lavra.ua

The press service of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra issued a statement regarding reports about the acceptance of a former cleric of the monastery into the OCU.

"Recently, a message has circulated on social media about the acceptance of Igumen Nikodim (Pryshchepa) into one of the dioceses of the OCU. It was emphasized that this individual was a member of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra's brethren," the statement said. "We would like to remind everyone that in recent years, none of the current monks of the Lavra has joined the OCU structures, except for Avraamy (Lotysh), who left the Ukrainian Orthodox Church in 2023."

According to the Lavra, the cleric mentioned in recent news reports had long been excluded from the Lavra's monastics after "expressing the intention to transfer independently to one of the dioceses of the Russian Orthodox Church."

"As per the decision of the UOC Holy Synod, in 2015, an order was issued banning Igumen Nikodim (Pryshchepa) from priesthood," the monastery confirmed.

As the UOJ reported, an important hearing regarding the Lower Lavra is slated for September 26.

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