Metropolitan Pavlo (Lebid)

Metropolitan of Chornobyl and Vyshhorod, Abbot of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra, Pavlo (secular name — Petro Lebid)

Bishop of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, Vicar of the Kyiv Metropolis, Abbot of the Holy Dormition Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra, Chairman of the Synodal Commission on Monasteries of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, and a permanent member of the Holy Synod of the UOC.

On March 30, 1994, he was appointed Abbot of the Holy Dormition Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra.

The persecution of Metropolitan Pavlo by the Ukrainian authorities began amid a state campaign to expropriate the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra.

In late March 2023, the Ukrainian authorities attempted to seize control of the monastery premises by force. This provoked resistance from Orthodox believers, who came out to defend the monastery.

It was precisely at this moment—at the height of the confrontation over the monastery—that the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) opened criminal proceedings against the Lavra’s abbot. Metropolitan Pavlo was arrested on April 1, 2023, at approximately 7:30 a.m., directly during a divine service.

(Source: SPZh)

Metropolitan Pavlo is charged under Article 161 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (incitement of religious hatred) and Article 436-2 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (justification of the armed aggression of the Russian Federation).

A few hours after the notice of suspicion was served, the Shevchenkivskyi District Court of Kyiv began considering the issue of a preventive measure. During the hearing, the hierarch reported a deterioration in his health, after which Judge Vadym Kovtunenko agreed to postpone the session until the morning of April 3.

However, just two hours later, the judge changed his decision without explanation, summoned the parties again, and issued an order for the forced appearance of the metropolitan, despite his medical condition. At 6:30 p.m., the hierarch was compelled to return to court directly from the hospital.

Defense attorney Mykyta Chekman drew attention to the unjustified change in the judge’s position. In response, the judge stated that the hearing was decided to be held immediately “so as not to distract from treatment,” a remark that appears cynical given the actual coercion to participate in the proceedings. The defense filed two motions to recuse the judge on suspicion of bias, both of which were denied.

At the oral request of the defense, the court prohibited journalists from photographing or filming Metropolitan Pavlo; however, this requirement was widely violated. The entire situation demonstrates disregard for procedural norms, human rights, and the physical condition of the hierarch, who endured evident moral and physical suffering.

On the same day, the court imposed a preventive measure of 60 days of round-the-clock house arrest with an electronic ankle monitor.

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On July 14, 2023, allegedly due to violations of the conditions of the preventive measure, the court changed it to detention with the possibility of release on bail in the amount of 33.3 million UAH.

These actions were taken in order to isolate the hierarch from his flock and the monastic brotherhood of the monastery.
(Source: Suspilne.News)

On August 7, 2023, Metropolitan Pavlo was released from custody after bail was posted (the funds were collected by a large number of parishioners).

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(Source: “Pershyi Kozatskyi” channel)

After his release on bail, he continued to remain under legal restrictions: the court obliged the metropolitan to wear an electronic bracelet, remain at his place of residence, notify the investigator of any departure in cases of extreme necessity or due to health reasons, and appear upon request of the investigation or the court.