Substances used for poisoning in the Middle Ages were found in the blood of the abbot of the Kyiv Pechersk Lavra
Toxic substances — mercury and arsenic — found in the blood of the abbot of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra, Metropolitan Pavel of Vyshhorod and Chernobyl
Toxic substances — mercury and arsenic — have been discovered in the blood of the abbot of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra, Metropolitan Pavel of Vyshhorod and Chernobyl (Petro Lebed), who is also a deputy of the Kyiv Council from the Party of Regions.
- Media believe that Patriarch Kirill will come to Ukraine to sort out intrigues and ‘autonomists’
As Vasyl Anisimov, press secretary of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate, told the newspaper Segodnya, “Some time ago, Vladyka Pavel was admitted to intensive care. He then underwent treatment in Germany, where arsenic and mercury were discovered in his blood — substances once used for poisoning among the upper strata of society in the Middle Ages.”
According to Anisimov, the metropolitan himself is not accusing anyone for now. “He has just returned to Kyiv, and we may consider approaching the police,” Anisimov is quoted by NEWSru.ua.
In the corridors of the UOC-MP, it is said that Lebed has plenty of ill-wishers — there are many aspirants to his post, attracted by its prestigious status and large financial flows.
As explained by Igor Chermak, head physician of Kyiv City Hospital No. 1, such substances could enter the body both through food and by airborne transmission.
“A more definite statement can only be made after examining the results of the forensic analysis,” he noted.
Meanwhile, as NEWSru.ua points out, Metropolitan Pavel has “made a name for himself” in the media by riding around in his own Mercedes with personalized license plates “AP,” which stands for “Archbishop Pavel.” When a journalist from the Ukrainian TV channel 1+1 asked the clergyman about expensive cars and a phone, he became indignant and advised the reporter to always remember God’s judgment.
Meanwhile, in April, Metropolitan Pavel was given a brand new Lexus for his birthday.
Media believe that Patriarch Kirill is going to Ukraine to “sort out” intrigues and the “autonomists”
Patriarch Kirill is preparing for another visit to Ukraine. His first trip in 2012 will take place on the Day of the Baptism of Rus, July 28. He was last in Ukraine in October 2011, in Chernivtsi, NEWSru.ua recalls, citing the newspaper Segodnya.
“At the last Synod, the patriarch was invited for the 20th anniversary of the primatial ministry of Metropolitan Volodymyr (his election as metropolitan of the UOC-MP). The main celebrations will take place precisely on July 27–28. Moreover, July 28 is the feast day of the Holy Equal-to-the-Apostles Grand Prince Vladimir,” said Georgiy Kovalenko, press secretary of the head of the UOC-MP.
Other items on the schedule, according to available information, are still uncertain, including the possibility of visiting cities other than Kyiv. The official part of Kirill’s stay in the capital will resemble his now traditional visits for the Day of the Baptism of Rus.
“There will be a service on Volodymyrska Hill. He will also celebrate an all-night vigil at the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra and a liturgy on the square in front of the monastery church,” Kovalenko said. In addition, the head of the Russian Orthodox Church will lead public hearings to discuss the civilizational path of Russia, Ukraine, and Belarus, and the role of the Orthodox Church in advancing along that path. Rumors circulated that Patriarch Kirill had been visiting Ukraine less frequently because of the complication of relations with Russia, especially over the gas issue.
“It depends what you compare it with. Patriarch Alexei II came only twice in nearly twenty years. But Kirill has made it a good tradition to visit Ukraine on the Day of the Baptism of Rus,” noted Vladimir Kornilov, director of the Ukrainian branch of the Institute of CIS and Baltic Countries.
According to the newspaper Segodnya, the unofficial part of the visit will be dedicated to the “confusion and vacillation” that intensified within the UOC-MP during the illness of Metropolitan Volodymyr. As is known, the crux of the conflict was a power struggle between the “autonomists” and their opponents. The former seek greater autocephaly, while the latter advocate closer alignment with Russia. At that time, the struggle ended in victory for a “third line” that preserved the Church’s status quo. According to experts, during his visit Patriarch Kirill may, as the saying goes, test the waters on the ground.
“Last year, on the Day of the Baptism of Rus, the patriarch held a meeting of the ROC synod at the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra. I would not rule out that a synod session could also take place this time. Metropolitan Volodymyr, let me remind you, is a member of the synod,” said Vasyl Anisimov, head of the UOC press service.
According to Taras Antoshevsky, head of the Religious Information Service of Ukraine, this will be an ordinary visit by Patriarch Kirill on the feast of the Equal-to-the-Apostles Prince Vladimir.
“There would be little attention paid to him if it were not for the recent coup attempt in the UOC. There will be conversations and assessments of actions. And, since the struggle has not subsided, I assume that intrigues will also continue,” he noted.
However, it is quite possible that during the visit intrigues will be touched on only in passing. In Kornilov’s opinion, some behind-the-scenes intrigues always take place in the Church, and it is no secret which parties are fighting and for what in the UOC-MP. The patriarch must maintain at least a semblance of neutrality.
“All problems related to behind-the-scenes struggle he can solve even without a visit. He certainly has constant communication with the metropolitan,” Kornilov noted.
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