Metropolitan Tikhon Writes to Metropolitan Onufriy Following Attack on Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra

His Beatitude Metropolitan Onufriy

Metropolitan of Kyiv and All Ukraine

Ukraineвулиця Лаврська, 15

Київ, 01015 UKRAINE

Your Beatitude, dear brother and concelebrant in the Lord’s Mysteries,

Christ is in our midst!

It is with profound sorrow that I learned of the recent attack on the Holy Dormition Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra and the danger and suffering inflicted upon this sacred monastery, which is sacred to all Orthodox Christians throughout the world.

On behalf of the clergy, monastics, and faithful of the Orthodox Church in America, I extend to Your Beatitude, to the flock entrusted to your pastoral care, and to all the people of Ukraine, our heartfelt prayers and fraternal support. The Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra is one of the great spiritual treasures of the Orthodox world, sanctified by the prayers and witness of countless saints. Any act of violence directed against such a holy place is a cause of grief and indignation for Orthodox Christians everywhere.

Since the outbreak of this devastating war, the Orthodox Church in America has consistently prayed and labored for peace, condemning violence, bloodshed, and the suffering inflicted upon innocent people. We condemn the…