Media shows "restorers" at work in Transfiguration Cathedral of Chernihiv

"Restorer" brushes paint off an ancient mural in the Transfiguration Cathedral in Chernihiv. Photo: screenshot from the Suspilne Chernigiv YouTube channel

On May 23, the Suspilne Chernihiv channel aired a segment depicting ongoing activities at the Transfiguration of the Saviour Cathedral in Chernihiv, seized from the UOC. Journalists showcased "restorers" using toothbrushes to clean the wall paintings.

One such "restorer", Oleksandr Tkach, engaged in "cleansing" 19th-century murals with colleagues, stated, "It took a lot of time for us to find the right solvent. We start with the mildest and find the most gentle option."

However, right at the outset, one can see paint flaking off under the "restorer's" brush.

Natalia Rebrova, the Director-General of the Ancient Chernihiv Reserve, mentioned that her staff is also dismantling wooden iconostases. She stated, "They have 'spoiled' this temple," alleging that the "Moscow church never valued heritage."

Rebrova explained that reserve employees are "restoring and cleaning" the temple on their own, but they need assistance.

"If you understand the necessity of opening this temple and cleansing it from this Moscow filth, help us," she urges.

The Director-General expressed a desire to open the cathedral doors to visitors in June, although there are no plans for services at the moment.

"As of today, it is among the top five oldest and outstanding temple constructions in Ukraine. We must showcase it; it is a monument to our thousand-year history. And it will be turned into a museum," emphasized the official.

As reported by the UOJ, under the pretext of "restoration", the Ministry of Culture seized three cathedrals from the UOC in Chernihiv.

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