The nuns of the controversial Minsk monastery that supports the Russian army continue to trade in France. The French newspaper Ouest-France published an investigation into the nuns of the Holy Elisabeth Convent in Minsk, reports Christians Against the War.
Despite repeated evidence of the monastery’s support for the Russian army, they continue to sell icons, souvenirs, and food products in Catholic churches in France, claiming that the proceeds go to charity.
Journalists detailed the collection of money and equipment for Russian military personnel, as well as the transfer of a drone, military boots, and at least nine vehicles. At the same time, the publication was unable to establish whether the money collected in France was specifically used for military assistance. Payments are made in cash, and the monastery denies any such connection.
In the United Kingdom, Poland, Sweden, and Switzerland, the activities of the Minsk nuns have already prompted bans or restrictions. In France, decisions on whether to allow them to operate are still made by the heads of individual parishes, who acknowledge that they cannot verify how the funds collected are used.
Earlier, we reported that Germany’s Bundestag was calling for an investigation into the activities of the Russian Orthodox Church nuns from Minsk. Bundestag member Robin Wagener, a member of the Foreign Affairs and Defence Committee, believes that law enforcement authorities should investigate the activities of the nuns of the Holy Elisabeth Convent in Minsk, who are suspected of collecting money for the war against Ukraine.
As LF reported, the Church of Sweden officially recommended that the nuns of the Holy Elisabeth Convent not be invited, pointing to its subordination to the Moscow Patriarchate under Patriarch Kirill Gundyaev, as well as alleged ties between the monastery and Russian military intelligence, the GRU, and public statements interpreted as justification for Russia’s war against Ukraine.
Earlier, in connection with the monastery’s participation in a Christmas market in Norway, the Belarusian association Razam in Norway stated that the monastery operates within the orbit of the concept of the “Russian world” and supports the rhetoric of the so-called “holy war” against the West and Ukraine.
Earlier, we reported, that the Minsk Holy Elisabeth Convent, whose nuns continue to sell their goods at fairs in European countries, collects money for assault units made up of Russian prisoners.
