Coronavirus Causes Abbot of Kyiv Pechersk Lavra To Enter Self-Isolation

One of the most venerated holy places for Eastern Orthodox Christians, the Kyiv Pechersk Lavra, has seen some of its top curators go into self-isolation following the discovery of 4 cases of coronavirus amongst its clerical staff.

The four coronavirus cases were announced by Kyiv mayor, Vitaliy Klychko, on April 4. The coronavirus cases include the abbot of the Lavra, Metropolitan Pavlo, who has gone into self-isolation following a positive result on a coronavirus test, according to comments made by the Metropolitan of Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate, Klyment.

“I spoke to him on the phone and he feels fine, he’s in a good mood and in good health. He has some different chronic diseases, and he’s consulting with specialists, with doctors, and the doctors told him that he has to stay home and that there’s no need for him to be hospitalized… Tests and all the investigations are continuing,” stated Klyment.

The Lavra’s clergy had earlier called on Ukrainians to practically ignore coronavirus restrictions, by advising them to take communion with their children at churches. A previous statement by the Lavra said that “not a virus epidemic is terrible, but a sin that destroys the soul.” However,  the Lavra’s governing Moscow Patriarchate has now decided to hold closed services for the time being.

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