KYIV, April 9 – The headquarters of the Russian-backed Orthodox church in Ukraine, which urged worshipers to ignore the government’s quarantine orders, was hit by a massive outbreak of coronavirus, the authorities reported Thursday.

At least 26 monks tested positive to coronavirus at the Kyiv Pechersk Lavra, according to Kyiv mayor Vitaliy Klitschko. The Lavra, also known as the Kyiv Monastery of the Caves, was founded on 1051 and has 100 monks in residence.

Kyiv Pechersk Lavra is the headquarters for the Russian-backed wing of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, often referred to as the Moscow Patriarchate. Its gold-domed towers and labyrinthine caves housing the mummified bodies of monks since the 11th century are among the capital's cultural treasures.

The Moscow Patriarchate last month said the coronavirus had been caused by human sin and could be fought with hugs, prayers and fasting, according to Reuters. It has since fallen in line with the government's lockdown measures, moving church services online, disinfecting buildings and offering to house patients in monasteries.

The coronavirus has killed at least 57 people in Ukraine and the authorities aim to contain the spread of the disease in the run-up to Easter. Kyiv and its surrounding region have 430 out of a total of 1,892 cases.

"That's why I am anxiously waiting for Easter this year," Klitschko said. "I met with representatives of all faiths several times. I said ... that they too must realize their responsibility for the safety of believers.”

Pechersk Lavra has not commented on how many of its members have been infected. Ukrainian media reported last weekend that the monastery's head, Metropolitan Pavel, had coronavirus. The monastery said Pavel had "no complaints" about his health.

President Volodymyr Zelenskiy's government has tightened lockdown measures, including making it compulsory for citizens to wear masks in public and allowing people to move around only alone or in pairs.

In a statement on Thursday, Zelenskiy cited a survey that said 70% of Ukrainians supported the government's lockdown measures and only 3% planned to go to church at Easter.

"It is great that Ukrainians are so responsible, and most citizens are aware of the high risks of the epidemic. After all, the peak is still ahead," he said in a statement.

"Therefore, every effort should be made to prevent even 3% of believers from taking the risk."

After years of hostility between Moscow and Kyiv, Ukraine now has two main branches of Orthodox Christianity, one of which recognizes the authority of the Patriarch of Moscow and one of which was recognized last year by other Orthodox denominations as having its own head. (rt/tl/ez)