Reserve demands that Lavra hand over the relics of Caves saints
Near Caves. Photo: the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra website
The head of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra Reserve Maksym Ostapenko said in a letter to the monastery that from 27 February a commission on "the return of cultural values to have them listed" will start working in the Near Caves, reports the Lavra's lawyer Archpriest Nikita Chekman on his Telegram channel.
He said the monastery received such a letter after refusing to facilitate a "worship service" of the OCU in the Near Caves on 24 February 2024, which was to be attended by "Archbishop Agapit of Vyshhorod" of the OCU. The lawyer attached the monastery's correspondence with the Reserve, in which the monks explained that such a "divine service" was impossible for two reasons. The first is that the UOC and the OCU are not in eucharistic communion. The second is that the monastery is carrying out repairs in the caves, which the monks are doing at the request of the Reserve itself.
"There is no limit to the cynicism and blatant manipulation of the Reserve representatives and some religious organisations," the lawyer wrote. “First of all, we would like to remind the public that according to the Reserve's Order N 04-07/91 of 10.08.2023, from 7:00 a.m. on 11 August 2023, access to the territory of the Lower Lavra was closed to visitors. Subsequently, the Reserve requests in writing the Monastery to carry out repair work in the caves. The Monastery agrees (despite everything), informs the representatives of the Reserve also in the form of correspondence about it and starts repair works. And then suddenly come representatives of the most patriotic religious organisation in Ukraine (who never manipulate on the sorrow of war), and demand to open the caves, in which repair works are already being carried out (about which they are probably "allegedly" unaware), to accuse of non-admission and obstruction... Coincidence? No, we don't think so!".
As reported, the Lavra filed a police complaint against the head of the Reserve for inciting hatred.
Read also
Kosovo to enact law restricting Serbian Church, experts say
Analysts warn that the new "Law on Foreigners" in Kosovo could restrict the presence of clergy, believers' access to shrines, and increase pressure on the Serbian community.
Congress Speaker: Demand to introduce Sharia law in USA is a serious problem
The Speaker of the House of Representatives stated that there is growing concern in society about attempts to impose Islamic law, which is incompatible with the American Constitution.
UK government introduces restrictions on "anti-Muslim hostility"
UK authorities have adopted a new definition of "Islamophobia" which, according to experts, could provide Muslims with special protection and restrict freedom of speech.
Dumenko brings icon in Church Slavonic to Ministry of Health
Epifaniy presented cardiologists with an Intercession icon, with inscriptions in Church Slavonic, which his structure calls a "sign of the Moscow tradition".
ISIS supporters carries out terrorist attack at anti-Islamic protest in NY
Near the home of New York's Muslim mayor, radicals threw two makeshift bombs at protesters during an anti-Islamic rally.
Hryshchuk: If UOC hands over its church itself, angle grinders aren't needed
An OCU chaplain called on UOC believers to accept the loss of the shrine for the sake of their own "enlightenment".