Lotysh tells US delegation about "development of OCU monastic community" in Lavra
Abrahamiy Lotysh and the US delegation at the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra. Photo: Facebook
On April 24, 2026, a meeting took place at the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra between the "abbot of the Lavra of the OCU" Avrahamiy Lotysh and a delegation of American diplomats and politicians. Among the guests, as written on the Facebook page of the "Kiev Pechersk Lavra of the OCU", were representatives of the Atlantic Council analytical center, including former US Ambassador to Ukraine John Herbst.
However, in the published photos one can recognize American political advisor Robert Paduchik, Deputy Director of the Atlantic Council's Eurasia Center Shelby Magid, Avrahamiy Lotysh himself, and a "priest" of the OCU. John Herbst is not present in the shown footage.
It is noted that during the meeting they discussed "the challenges faced by Ukraine and Ukrainian Orthodoxy in the conditions of the ongoing war."
In addition, Avrahamiy "thoroughly familiarized the guests with the process of formation and development of the monastic community under the jurisdiction of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine on the territory of the Lavra."
At the conclusion of the meeting, as claimed, "as a sign of respect and gratitude for many years of support for Ukraine," Avrahamiy presented "American partners" with commemorative gifts.
As the UOJ reported, earlier the "abbot" Lotysh stated that the authorities oppress the OCU in the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra.
Read also
Ostapenko: Everyone in UCCRO feels fine except the “FSB UOC”
The director of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra National Reserve called the All-Ukrainian Council of Churches “a wonderful organization.”
Shevchuk: We had to convince world UOC ban does not violate religious freedom
The UGCC head claims that by banning the UOC, the state is not violating religious freedom but merely protecting the Church’s faithful from Moscow propaganda.
Lavra reserve head estimates damage to Dormition Cathedral at €15 million
Maksym Ostapenko said restoring the Dormition Cathedral would take at least a couple of years and require major funding.
DESS official says state should not govern the Church
A DESS official called for cooperation between the state and the Church for the benefit of citizens.
Poltava court upholds mobilization of Protestant pastor
A court in the Poltava region ruled that a prior criminal conviction and religious beliefs do not exempt a person from military service.
Ostapenko: Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra would not exist without Soviet-era reserve
The reserve director spoke about the Soviet museum’s role in saving the monastery, while stressing the need to rethink its history.