Estonian Orthodox Church Expresses Condolences Following Russian Strike on Kyiv Monastery Cathedral

The Estonian Orthodox Church has expressed condolences regarding damage to the Assumption Cathedral, which belongs to the Kyivan Pechersk Lavra, caused by a Russian attack. The statement is addressed to Metropolitan Onufriy (Berezovsky), a permanent member of the Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church and a Russian citizen who no longer holds an official role at the cathedral.

The Estonian Orthodox Church has issued a public statement of condolences regarding damage to the Assumption Cathedral, which belongs to the Kyivan Pechersk Lavra, caused by a Russian attack. The statement drew public attention because it is addressed to Metropolitan Onufriy (Berezovsky), a permanent member of the Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church and a Russian citizen.

Notably, Metropolitan Onufriy no longer has any direct connection to the Assumption Cathedral or the Kyivan Pechersk Lavra. Ukrainian authorities have expelled church organizations affiliated with the Moscow Patriarchate from the monastery, and the metropolitan's ties to this holy site have been severed.

The move by the Estonian Orthodox Church has raised questions about which institution and on whose behalf condolences are actually being expressed, given that the damaged cathedral is located in Ukraine and the attack was carried out by Russia, the country of which the recipient of the condolences is a citizen.