“Officials are going to determine the sanctity of church relics?”, - Novinsky on the situation around the Kiev-Pechersk Lavra

The situation around the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra continues to escalate. Recent events, involving the seizure of the Near Caves by representatives of the reserve with the support of the police, have caused a wide public outcry among believers and society. In light of these developments, Vadim Novinsky expressed his opinion on his website, emphasizing the inadmissibility of such measures by the authorities.

«The cynicism and blatant blasphemy contained in this official formula are astonishing: are government officials now going to determine the sanctity of church relics? Or is the goal to divide the Venerable Fathers of the Caves into ‘ours’ and ‘theirs’? It is well known that the caves of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra hold the relics of saints from Novgorod, Smolensk, and Polotsk. In the Far Caves lie the relics of the Holy Martyr Metropolitan Vladimir (Bogoyavlensky) of Kyiv and Halych, who was murdered during the revolutionary terror in 1918. He was a native of the Tambov region. Is the government now preparing DNA tests to determine the ‘Ukrainianness’ of these relics?» Novinsky stated.

«This is a gross violation of believers’ rights, an attempt to deprive the Church of its rightful shrines. The Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra is not just an architectural complex; it is the heart of Orthodox faith in Ukraine. To take away the Church’s right to pray here means to encroach upon the very essence of the spiritual life of millions of believers.»

The former deputy also noted: «These actions are aimed at destroying the spiritual heritage of our people and violate the constitutional rights of citizens to freedom of religion. We are witnessing a targeted policy of pressure on the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, and this is unacceptable. Believers should not become hostages of political games.»

He emphasized that such measures by the authorities indicate systematic pressure on the UOC. Novinsky called on the international community to pay attention to the situation and intervene: «The world community cannot remain silent when, in the 21st century, fundamental human rights are being violated in the heart of Europe. If today the authorities allow themselves such actions against the Church, what will happen tomorrow? We must stop this lawlessness before it is too late.»

Novinsky also added: «I am confident that the truth will prevail,» he emphasized. «We will fight for our faith, for our shrines, for the right of every believer to practice their religion without fear of persecution.»

It should be noted that on March 25, 2025, a commission from the Ministry of Culture of Ukraine arrived at the territory of the «Lower» Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra to conduct an «inspection» of the holy relics of the Venerable Fathers of the Caves. A group of individuals representing the commission gathered at the entrance to the Near Caves of the Lavra.