The Pechersk Court in Kiev has begun discussing the case of the vicar of the Kiev-Pechersk Lavra of the canonical Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC), Metropolitan Pavel (Lebed). This is reported by the Union of Orthodox Journalists (SPJ).

Metropolitan Pavel is accused of "justifying the aggression of the Russian Federation," the Telegram channel of the SPJ says. At the meeting, the prosecutor said that the bishop was also accused of insulting the religious feelings of Ukrainians. At the same time, Metropolitan Pavel told reporters that he had done nothing of what he was accused of.

"It's not fair. Who is the victim? How? What have I done to them that they have suffered from me?" – the governor of the Lavra noted.
According to him, the premises where he is under house arrest are heavily guarded.
"I am guarded by 12 cars, I don't know who they are, they still manage to climb fences with a flashlight," he said.

Recall that first in July of this year, another district court of the Ukrainian capital changed the measure of restraint to the metropolitan, transferring him from house arrest to detention, offering a bail of 33 million hryvnia (893.5 thousand dollars). According to the bishop, the authorities demand that he "compromise" and recognize the schismatic Orthodox Church of Ukraine (PCU). The media reported that the priest was offered another deal: to drop all charges if the monks of the Kiev Pechersk Lavra would transfer to the OCU.