Kyiv Pechersk Lavra, one of the biggest Orthodox monasteries in the world and a popular tourism site in central Kyiv, had to shut down for quarantine on April 13, after it saw over 90 cases of COVID-19 among its inhabitants.
Three people died in Lavra, including two of its priests and a visiting monk from Pochayiv Lavra, another major monastery in Ternopil Oblast.
Kyiv Pechersk Lavra doesn’t reveal how many monks live there but Kyiv authorities reported that some 300 inhabitants of the monastery were tested for COVID-19.
Before the surge in cases made the monastery close its doors on April 13, the Lavra was preparing to host an Easter Vigil on April 19, when Eastern Christians celebrate Easter.
Easter Vigils normally attract many people, who come to the church to have their traditional Easter food blessed. This year, due to the nationwide quarantine measures, the churches in Ukraine were recommended to avoid gatherings and find safer ways to hold services: stream them online or hold them outdoors and make sure that people keep a distance. However, many churches around the country were reported to be neglecting these recommendations.
