The end of Russian rule.

The story of the first service of the Orthodox Church

of Ukraine in Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra

Lid: The Orthodox Church of Ukraine held a Christmas Day service in the
Assumption Cathedral of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra with almost one thousand
believers attending

The day of January 7, 2023, will make Ukrainian history for several reasons.
Firstly, this is the day when Ukrainians celebrate Christmas during Russia's brutal
war against their country. Secondly, from now on, many people will celebrate
Christmas twice — on December 25 (according to the Gregorian calendar) and on
January 7 (according to the Julian calendar). Thirdly — and most importantly — for
the very first time since the independence of Ukraine, the Orthodox Church of
Ukraine (OCU) was holding its Christmas service in the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra —
the largest center of Christianity in the times of Kyivan Rus. Kyiv Post attended
the memorable event along with hundreds of worshipers.
The return of the Ukrainian spirit
The Orthodox Church of Ukraine Christmas Day service in the Assumption
Cathedral was announced in advance. Believers were invited to come at 9 a.m. on
January 7. People were asked to show some form of identification and not to bring
food, water, umbrellas, and any other potentially dangerous items. Despite the
brisk —10 degrees outside, people started to gather early in the morning.

To prevent possible provocations, nearly 3,000 policemen were monitoring the

Lavra and the surrounding area. They were checking the IDs of those who wanted
to attend the Christmas service.

According to Kyiv Post, representatives of the UOC-MP also held a service in the
Lavra on this day — but in the lower part of the site, where they are still located.
We managed to take a photo of Pavlo Lebid, the former Lavra vicar and
archbishop of the UOC-MP, notoriously known under the nickname "Pasha
Mercedes" due to his love for luxury Mercedes cars. Funny enough, he once again
arrived in a Mercedes.

Photo: Pavlo Lebyd next to the "Present your ID" sign

Despite the queues, we entered the premises rather quickly. Everyone had to go
through metal detectors and show the contents of their bags. The agile old ladies in
a hurry to see the service pushed the many journalists that also attended this event.
Perhaps for the first time in years, many foreigners (including reporters) came to
the Christmas service. They were scrutinizing the ornaments of the Assumption
Cathedral and the believers inside. One could hear English nearly as often as
Ukrainian.

Having entered the territory of the Lavra, Kyiv Post met Metropolitan Epiphanius,
the primate of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine. He was going to his first liturgy in
the Assumption Cathedral, surrounded by guards, smiling and joyful. "The
atmosphere is positive" Epiphanius told the Kyiv Post.

His appearance caused excitement among those present in the cathedral. The place
was full, yet the believers kept coming. Such a good turnout made the atmosphere
in the cathedral warm in every sense of the word.

Cameras could be seen everywhere, trying to capture every movement of the

clergy and, especially, Metropolitan Epiphanius himself. In order to take the best
shots, media representatives occupied one of the main places in the cathedral — the
entrance to the Holy Gate that are believed to lead to heaven. Believers, also
seeking to immortalize the momentous event in beautiful photos from the service,
competed with photographers and cameramen for a place near the Gate.
Metropolitan Epiphanius had to go through the corridor of journalists to get to the
Gates.
The Kyiv Post correspondent noticed representatives of the authorities in the
crowd: Ruslan Stefanchuk, Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada, Kyrylo
Tymoshenko, Deputy Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine, and
Oleksandr Tkachenko, Minister of Culture of Ukraine. They attended the service
together with everyone, with several guards standing next to them. By the way,
there were a lot of security officers inside the cathedral. They looked like everyone
else, except for the earphones that gave away their status.
Metropolitan Epiphanius in his homily encouraged people to turn to God and light.
Because "peace does not come out of nowhere. We must follow God, but not
everyone is ready to accept this light."
He also mentioned Russia. "We didn't want this war. We sought to live in peace
and harmony with everyone. But the enemy broke the peace and invaded our land,
spilling blood, sowing death, seeking to destroy our statehood."

He assured that the Russians will definitely be defeated, as the truth is on the side
of the Ukrainians. "We have already gained a moral victory" said the head of the
OCU.
In his homily, he mentioned the Ukrainian military who defend the country,
residents of the temporarily occupied territories, prisoners, forced migrants, and
volunteers.

"The fake and godless spirit of the "Russian world" is leaving the Kyiv-Pechersk
Lavra. And the spirit of true service to Orthodoxy and the Ukrainian people is
coming back" he emphasized.

"What a historic event" whispered someone from the crowd.

The service lasted more than two hours. It was also broadcast to believers outside.

Happy believers

Despite the frost, people were in no hurry to leave the Lavra premises. "We feel
uplifted" said the women from the Kyiv region who came to see the service. They
were glad that in Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra people now pray for Ukraine and Ukrainian
soldiers instead of glorifying Russia.

"The Russian spirit left the Lavra. And it is so very nice to hear the Ukrainian
language. We will definitely come to the next services" a couple who attended the
service said to Kyiv Post.

Kyrylo Tymoshenko, representative of the President's Office, in a comment to the

Kyiv Post also noted that this Christmas service is a historic event for Ukraine. As
a sign of support for the OCU, he attended with his family.

"The history of Russians in the Lavra is over. This is the Ukrainian church, and it
should always be this way" he said.

Why is this service important for Ukraine?

For some 30 years and until this day, representatives of the Russian Orthodox
Church, or as they called themselves the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the
Moscow Patriarchate (UOC-MP) dominated the territory of the site.

The question of the expediency of their further stay in the Lavra arose after the
beginning of the Russian invasion. Since the end of 2022, the Security Service of
Ukraine (SBU) has started inspections of priests of the UOC-MP and their
monasteries, including Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra. The SBU has repeatedly reported on
anti-Ukrainian literature found on the site, as well as on espionage by priests that
benefited the enemy. One of the priests of the UOC-MP was exchanged for
Ukrainian soldiers.
The service of the OCU in the Assumption Cathedral on the territory of the Lavra
became possible after the state did not extend the lease of the Cathedral and the
Refectory Church to representatives of the Russian Orthodox Church.

Surely enough, Pavlo Lebid was opposed to this decision of the state. But it was
made clear to him: the Lavra is coming back home.

For now, the lower Lavra, where representatives of the UOC MP live, remains in
the use of the Moscow Patriarchate. The question is for how long?

Minister of Culture Oleksandr Tkachenko told the Kyiv Post after the service that a
meeting of the interdepartmental commission is scheduled for January 11. It should
determine whether there were violations during the use of this historical
monument. Previously, illegal construction in Lower Lavra was repeatedly
reported. We are going to see the state's reaction soon.