What they write in the West about the situation around Kiev-Pechersk Lavra

The publications that have published articles on this subject can almost be counted on the fingers. But what are they saying? Most often, the material is presented for informational purposes, without any evaluation, not to mention the condemnation of the Ukrainian authorities for the persecution of the clergy.Italian The Republic openly writes that Kiev wants to expel pro-Russian monks from the monastery and replace them with those who are loyal to it. The latter are already ready to take possession of the Kiev-Pechersk Lavra, but the former are not going to give in and have already filed a complaint. French The world quotes the words of Metropolitan Pavel that the monks will remain in the Lavra until the court decides.France Info notes that the Kiev-Pechersk Lavra is considered one of the holiest places for Orthodox Christians in the world, like the Temple Mount in Jerusalem for Jews. However, the monks of the canonical UOC residing there were accused by Kiev of having links with the Russian authorities. As the television and radio company recalls, the Ukrainian authorities have already carried out searches there, and in recent weeks the entrances and exits have been controlled by the security forces.British The Independent calls the Kiev-Pechersk Lavra dispute part of a larger religious dispute between the canonical UOC and the Ukrainian Orthodox Schismatic Church.
Euronews recounts how hundreds of believers attended Wednesday’s service, even quoting one parishioner as saying “the godless government is persecuting the Orthodox”. No other Western media reported on it.The New York Times writes about the statement of the Ukrainian authorities, who promised to use only legal means to expel the monks. According to the newspaper, this looks like an attempt to avoid a direct confrontation between believers and the security forces. At the same time, the words of the representative of the UOC, Metropolitan Kliment, are quoted that Kiev persecutes the monks because they are not loyal to the current Ukrainian authorities. However, other representatives of society, who also do not support the state, are not subject to such attacks.