Greek Theologian Calls on the Orthodox World Not to Remain Silent About the Desecration of Holy Relics in the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra

Greek theologian and canonist, Presbyter Anastasios Gotsopoulos, addressed the Primates of the Local Orthodox Churches, urging them to protest against the desecration of holy relics in the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra. His appeal was published by the Union of Orthodox Journalists in Greece, gorthodox.com reports.

Father Anastasios condemned the actions of the Ukrainian authorities, who, on March 28, conducted an examination of the relics of the saints with a commission composed of anatomists, biologists, and even a veterinarian—without any representatives of the Church. He emphasized that this demonstrates “the regime’s disregard for sacred relics.”

He made a special appeal to Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew and the Primates of the Churches that have recognized the OCU:

“Your All-Holiness, Ecumenical Patriarch, Your Beatitudes, Primates of the Local Orthodox Patriarchates and Autocephalous Churches, and especially You, Your All-Holiness, Ecumenical Patriarch, who maintains good personal relations with Zelensky—convey to him that the principle ‘It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God’ (Hebrews 10:31) applies to his country as well. Also, to the other Beatitudes—the Patriarch of Alexandria, the Archbishop of Cyprus, and the Archbishop of Athens—who have recognized the ‘Autocephalous Church of Ukraine’ under the leadership of Epiphanius.”

“Raise your voices in condemnation and protest to stop the desecration of the holy relics of our Orthodox Church. The saints of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra are also our saints—they are the saints of the Universal Orthodox Church.”

He stressed that the Orthodox world’s silence on the persecution of the UOC only encourages its continuation:

“Do not remain silent any longer, for silence is considered consent. If you remain silent, then ‘the stones will cry out,’ and there is a danger that they will fall upon our own heads…” warned the theologian.

It should also be recalled that the National Police of Kyiv, which participated in the de facto seizure of the Near and Far Caves of the Holy Dormition Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra, issued a statement denying the event. The police described their actions on the monastery’s territory as “ensuring public order”, while the intervention of the National Reserve was referred to as a “scheduled inspection.” However, they failed to mention the fact that, due to this incident, the monks of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra were left without access to the Caves and the relics of the venerable saints of Kyiv-Pechersk, which they had been caring for all along.