“Why Determine the Scientific Value of a Shrine?” — Athonite Monks on Ministry of Culture’s Actions in the Lavra

Monks from Mount Athos issued a public statement strongly condemning the actions of Ukraine’s Ministry of Culture, which is conducting an “inspection” of the relics of saints in the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra. The statement was published on the “Union of Orthodox Journalists on Athos” website.

“Unfortunately, these actions by the Ukrainian authorities regarding the relics of the Pechersk saints remind us of the ‘deeds and days’ of the Soviet atheist regime,” the Athonite monks emphasized.

The statement also criticizes double standards toward sacred relics: “Would it be acceptable for the heretical Vatican if the Italian authorities did something similar to examine the relics of the Holy Apostles Peter, Andrew the First-Called, St. John Chrysostom, and other Saints? Likewise, would the Holy Community of Mount Athos accept the intervention of the Greek State to analyze the relics of its Holy Monasteries?”

The monks stressed that they expect a clear response from the Orthodox world: “We especially look forward to the evaluation from the fourteen Orthodox Churches, led by the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople. It is no longer possible to pretend that nothing tragic is happening in the Orthodox Church of Ukraine and its holy sites.”

“And most importantly: why determine the scientific value of the Holy Relics? Aren’t these actions being taken to see how Orthodox Christians around the world will react to yet another deliberate act of blasphemy?” the Athonite monks asked rhetorically.

Earlier it was reported that OCU media lobbyist, Doctor of Philosophy and Professor at the Skovoroda Institute of Philosophy of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, Liudmyla Filipovych, explained the reasons for the takeover of the Near and Far Caves of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra by Ministry of Culture representatives. According to her, the need for an inspection arose due to “rumors” that sacred items were disappearing from the monastery, and that the locks had to be broken because UOC monks allegedly refused to open the caves.