Ukrainian investigators have accused Metropolitan Pavel Lebed, the head of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra, Ukraine’s most important monastery, of inciting national and religious hatred and justifying Russia’s armed aggression against Ukraine. The Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC) was previously loyal to Moscow clergy, but Metropolitan Pavel denies allegations of being pro-Russian. The Kyiv authorities have been trying to evict him and his followers from the monastery, and the SBU (Security Service of Ukraine) raided his residence on Saturday. Metropolitan Pavel called it a “political case” and denied being on the side of aggression. Worshippers have been protesting in support of the monks at the monastery. The Russian Orthodox Church has aligned itself with President Putin in defending the invasion of Ukraine.
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