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
UOC releases updated “Liturgical Guidelines” app for iOS
The new update includes liturgical guidelines for 2026.
United States to increase number of Christian hospitals in Nigeria
American healthcare support is linked to the measures taken by Nigerian authorities to protect the Christian population from violence.
UOC priest describes church seizure in Checheliivka
The dean of the Oleksandriia Eparchy said that representatives of the OCU forcibly opened a church where UOC parishioners had not been allowed to pray for three years.
Chernihiv Jews equate vandalism against menorah to arson of TRC
The Jews of Chernihiv are convinced that the vandals who toppled the menorah acted on Russia’s orders.
Mukachevo Metropolitan hands over aid to AFU and children's boarding home
With the blessing of Metropolitan Theodore, charitable events were held in the eparchy.
OCU takes over UOC church in the village of Checheliivka
Raiders from the OCU, after cutting the locks, broke into the Intercession Church, which was sealed until the court's ruling.