Monks of the Kiev-Pechersk Lavra in Kyiv stood between the protesters and "Berkut"

Kyiv, January 21, 2013

This morning the monks of the Kyiv Caves Lavra (Ukrainian Orthodox Church), Father Gabriel, Father Melchizedek and Father Ephraim placed themselves in Grouchevsky Street in Kyiv, Ukraine, between the warring parties and began to pray, calling the parties to the end of the conflict and to repentance, standing with a cross and icons between the protesters and the "Berkut" regiment (special unit of the Ukrainian police). They came out as peacemakers, not taking any sides.

Although they were asked to join "the people", the fathers prayed and sang the Easter troparion, "Christ is risen ...". The fighting stopped.

The monks will not leave until the situation has been completely stabilized.