Lazar, the former Metropolitan of Simferopol and Crimea, has died.

Former Metropolitan Lazar of Simferopol and Crimea (in the world — Nikolay Shvets) died at the age of 87. The Crimean Metropolia announced this on January 17 in its Telegram channel.

"On the morning of January 17, at the age of 87, Metropolitan Lazar (Shvets), who was retired in Simferopol, who headed the Crimean department from 1992 to 2023, passed away to the Lord," the message says.

The farewell to the bishop will take place on January 17 and 18 in the lower church of the Simferopol Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, and on January 19 in the upper church. The funeral service will be held there on January 19 at 16:00 Moscow time.

Metropolitan Lazar ruled the Crimean Diocese for more than 30 years. He retired in 2023, handing over the chair to Metropolitan Tikhon (Shevkunov).

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