UOC Demands Explanations over the Opening and Relocation of Relics in the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra

The Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra has declared a gross violation of the religious feelings of believers in connection with the actions of the National Reserve staff. Photographs have been circulated online showing the opening of reliquaries with the relics of the venerable fathers and their transfer from the caves to storage facilities. The Lavra emphasized that these “disrespectful and blasphemous actions” are being carried out without the participation of the clergy and in violation of centuries-old Orthodox Church canons. This was reported on the official Lavra website.

Lawyers have submitted inquiries to the Ministry of Culture and Strategic Communications of Ukraine, as well as to the Reserve administration, demanding information on the legal grounds for such actions and clarification on who made the decisions regarding the opening, relocation, or change of vestments of the relics.

“Given the special spiritual value of the holy relics for millions of believers, such actions are regarded as a gross violation of religious feelings and an outright desecration of sacred objects,” the Lavra stated.

The monastery expects prompt official responses. At the same time, it warns that if information is refused or the legal requests are ignored, measures provided by law will be taken.

It should be noted that Archbishop Iona (Cherepanov) of Obukhiv commented on the photographs published on the Telegram channel Fortetsia Lavra, which showed museum staff and representatives of the so-called state church engaged in “re-vesting” the relics of the Kyiv-Pechersk venerable fathers. According to the hierarch, what is happening is a terrible blasphemy, since the re-vesting of relics has always been performed exclusively by the Lavra brethren in holy orders. They were taught this by monks of the old, post-war generation, who in turn had received the tradition from the pre-revolutionary brethren of the monastery.