“Fighters” against communism repeat the Bolsheviks' blasphemous actions against the relics of saints, - Metropolitan Anthony

Metropolitan Anthony (Pakanich), administrator of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, drew historical parallels between what happened in the Kiev-Pechersk Lavra during the years of godless communism and the current desecration of the relics of the Kiev-Pechersk saints. The bishop pointed out that the Ukrainian authorities, who declare their fight against the communist past, have in fact completely emulated the Bolsheviks in their actions towards the Church. The bishop’s words are reported by the publication Orthodox Life.

«The shocking, without exaggeration, footage of the irreverent treatment of the relics of the Kiev-Pechersk saints by museum staff struck believers to the core. It seems that only people who have lost all faith could remain indifferent in this situation. Only someone completely ignorant of history could fail to draw parallels between the current blasphemy and the campaign to expose the relics carried out by atheists almost a century ago. Strangely enough, those who constantly declare their fight against communism, which has long since sunk into oblivion, are in fact repeating all the blasphemies once committed by the Bolsheviks against the Church and shrines. How did this happen? From a spiritual point of view, everything can be explained. One can ideologically disagree with godless Bolshevism, but as soon as one begins to fight against the Church, one becomes the same kind of “commissar with a revolver.” Any struggle against the Church is devilry, and does it matter to the devils under which banner the blasphemies inspired by them are carried out?», — noted Metropolitan Anthony.

The hierarch noted that without true faith and reverence, no museum employee can truly preserve the shrines of the Kiev-Pechersk Lavra.

«No museum worker, even the most benevolent, can ever truly preserve the spiritual heritage if he himself is not a church person. That is why today we do not see a caring attitude towards the great Orthodox shrines. Where there is no faith, there will be no reverence and respect for the relics of the saints. But no matter how much everything that is happening hurts us, for us it is an important sign: today the venerable Kiev-Pechersk monks share the contempt with all the persecuted children of the Church. As for the blasphemers, we must not be angry and thus rejoice the evil one—we can only be horrified by their fate if they do not repent, for we know from church history what fate awaits those who violate shrines. Once again, let us cross ourselves and say from the bottom of our hearts the words of our Lord: “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” May the prayers of all the venerable Kiev-Pechersk saints strengthen us!», — concluded the bishop.