Zelenskyy Reaches Out to Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew After Russian Strike on Monastery

Presidential Call with the Ecumenical Patriarch

According to Главком: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy spoke by phone with Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew from Chișinău Airport, where he was traveling to the Group of Seven (G7) summit. Their conversation centered on Russia’s recent attacks on the Kyiv Pechersk Lavra, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Zelenskyy also extended an invitation for the Patriarch to visit Ukraine, emphasizing the need for solidarity during this critical period.

Attack on the Kyiv Pechersk Lavra

On the night of June 15, Russia launched its most significant assault on Kyiv, striking the Kyiv Pechersk Lavra and sparking a fire within the monastery grounds. The roof of the Dormition Cathedral caught fire, though sacred items and liturgical objects were successfully evacuated from the site.

The Information and Education Department of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC) issued a statement acknowledging the destruction but stopping short of condemning Russia’s actions. Anatoliy Hrytsenko criticized the statement, arguing it failed to reflect the gravity of the situation.

On June 15, Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha participated online in a European Council meeting, briefing attendees on the aftermath of the Russian strike on the Kyiv Pechersk Lavra. Officials confirmed that the Dormition Cathedral of the monastery would be restored.

“The head of state thanked His All-Holiness for his support and his unequivocal moral stance: Russian drone strikes on the Kyiv Pechersk Lavra-a shrine not only for Ukraine but for Orthodox Christianity worldwide-constitute inexcusable barbarism,” the Presidential Office emphasized.

The strikes on the Kyiv Pechersk Lavra have sparked widespread condemnation both in Ukraine and internationally, underscoring the urgent need to protect cultural heritage during wartime. The response from Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew and the Ukrainian government highlights the pressing issue of safeguarding religious and cultural sites amid armed conflict. This incident may further shape Ukraine’s diplomatic efforts to rally global support for heritage preservation and counter Russian aggression.

In light of the recent attacks, Zelenskyy has also emphasized the importance of restoration efforts for the damaged monastery. This underscores the Ukrainian government's commitment to preserving cultural heritage amidst ongoing conflict. For more details on the planned restoration initiatives, you can read about the President's response to the attack on the monastery here.