Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra Closes for Quarantine

The Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate closes for quarantine, announced Kyiv Mayor Vitaliy Klitschko during an online press briefing regarding the spread of the coronavirus infection in the capital.

Of the 79 coronavirus cases reported in Kyiv in the past day, 63 came from the Kiev Pechersk Lavra.

“In total, the coronavirus has infected around 90 persons at the Lavra. The city today will send mobile X-rays and a medical team to the Lavra to collect samples for PCR testing. We need to see the real picture. I’ll also add that the Kiev Pechersk Lavra, by the decision of the Emergency Committee of the capital, shuts down for quarantine,”said Klitschko.

The mayor has also appealed to law enforcement agencies to closely monitor compliance with the decision. 

The Lavra’s clergy has previously urged people to disregard the lockdown orders, calling the coronavirus the fruit of human sin that could be fought with prayer and fasting.

The archimandrite of the church Archimandrite Nectarius passed away recently after contracting the coronavirus infection. The rector of the Kev-Pechersk Lavra, Metropolitan Pavel, was hospitalized due to suspicious symptoms. He is one of the priests who opposed quarantine closure.

Ukraine now has 3102 registered cases of the infection, with 93 deaths and 97 recoveries.

By Elene Dzebisashvili