Photographs have been published on the Internet showing the opening of reliquaries containing the relics of venerable Fathers and their removal from the caves of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra to storage facilities. These disrespectful and blasphemous actions are being carried out with the involvement of employees of the National Reserve “Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra.”

Lawyers’ requests have been submitted to the Ministry of Culture and Strategic Communications of Ukraine, as well as to the National Reserve “Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra,” in order to obtain information concerning the legal grounds for such actions with the holy relics of God’s saints, and to ascertain who exactly made the decision regarding their opening, transfer, change of vestments, or other forms of interference.

Given the profound spiritual significance of the holy relics for millions of the faithful, such actions, undertaken without the participation of the clergy and in violation of the centuries-old canons of the Orthodox Church, are regarded as a grave offence against religious feelings and an open desecration of the sacred.

We expect a prompt and official response. Should the request be ignored or information be withheld, measures of legal recourse will be undertaken as provided by law.