Prayer vigil for His Beatitude held near Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra

According to a priest, the Primate of the UOC is going through a difficult time, and the faithful are supporting him in prayer.
Believers continue to gather for a prayer vigil near the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra. “We pray that the Lord will preserve for us the head of the Church – His Beatitude Metropolitan Onuphry,” said Archpriest Heorhii Boiko on July 7, 2025, after the prayer concluded, as reported by the Telegram channel “Fortetsia Lavra.”
According to the priest, the Church is facing new trials: His Beatitude Metropolitan Onuphry has been stripped of Ukrainian citizenship. Citing Zelensky’s words, Father Heorhii noted that the Primate of the UOC may face expulsion from the country.
“We, all who stand here in prayer, who come here, ask that the Lord not abandon us without His mercy, that He preserve the monastery for the monks, for the brethren, for all of us. And we will always ask that the Lord preserve for us the Head of our Church – His Beatitude Metropolitan Onuphry, who is going through a difficult time,” he said.
After these words, the priest and the faithful chanted “Many Years” for His Beatitude.
Earlier, believers defending the Lavra expressed their support for Metropolitan Onuphry.